Portrait of a Woman

Trained at the Imperial Academy in Leningrad, Fechin developed a quick and dramatic approach to painting with an emphasis on technique and style. This training "explains the solidity and 'built-up' qualities of his work. The drawing always dominates and defines form or volume and there is a strong sense of organization. Fechin wrote: 'A high degree of expertness in technique (draughtsmanship) always has had and always will have a predominant place in art. The subject, by itself, has value only according to the mode of the day: tomorrow it will be superseded by a new one. With the passing of time, the subject loses much of its meaning, but the fine execution of it retains its value.'" (M.N. Balcomb, Nicolai Fechin, San Cristobal, New Mexico, 1975, p. 88.) Using pure color applied directly onto the canvas, often with the broad strokes of a palette knife, Fechin discarded his artists' tools and used his thumb to re-work the finer qualities of the sitter's expression and mood. He worked quickly, sometimes attacking the canvas with his palette knife. The result is a lively and decidedly modern interpretation of the portrait tradition, beautifully demonstrated by the present work.