Vladimir Tatlin has gone down in the history of Russian painting as one of the most prominent founders of the avant-garde. He did not have a consistent art education. He studied in Penza and was a teacher in avant-garde studios in Moscow. Tatlin was interested in the culture of Primitivism, old Russian art, and the Constructivism of his time.
The artist would closely observe the activities and appearance of the sailors, fishermen, and merchants in Odessa.
The generalization of forms that distinguish Tatlin’s work, as well as the proportions of the image relative to the background, may have been adopted by the artist from the old Russian icon painters.
His acquaintance with Larionov around 1910 contributed to the appearance of Primitivist tendencies in Tatlin’s painting and graphics.
In Sailor, features of a self-portrait intertwine with type-based characteristics. The picture perfectly expresses the personality of the portrayed, as well as the impulsivity of the artist’s creative explorations.
The artist would closely observe the activities and appearance of the sailors, fishermen, and merchants in Odessa.
The generalization of forms that distinguish Tatlin’s work, as well as the proportions of the image relative to the background, may have been adopted by the artist from the old Russian icon painters.
His acquaintance with Larionov around 1910 contributed to the appearance of Primitivist tendencies in Tatlin’s painting and graphics.
In Sailor, features of a self-portrait intertwine with type-based characteristics. The picture perfectly expresses the personality of the portrayed, as well as the impulsivity of the artist’s creative explorations.
