“Girl on the balcony”, Victor Borisov-Musatov – overview of the painting 
- Posted by Victor Borisov-Musatov
- Museum: Art Museum named after A. N. Radishcheva, Saratov
- Year: 1900
Overview of the painting :
The girl on the balcony is Viktor Elpidiforovich Borisov-Musatov. Oil on canvas. 77 x 50 cm
This picture, the first name of which was “On the Terrace”, was never exhibited during the life of Viktor Elpidiforovich Borisov-Musatov. After his death, the artist’s wife transferred her to the Radishchevsky Museum of the city of Saratov. Art critics believe that it was written by a master after getting to know the work of impressionists while in France, and in style it is very similar to their work.
Bright summer day. Spacious wooden terrace flooded with midday sunlight. Near the fence of cross-rivers painted white, there is a young girl in a dress made of pale cream fabric with small pink-lil bouquets. Narrow elevator, long sleeves and a wide skirt emphasize the fragile figure and thin waist of the young lady. With her left hand, she holds a bluish-biryuzo shawl with rare dark purple flowers, thrown on her shoulders. Smart black shoes on heels peek out from under the skirt.
Sunlight with golden glare lies on the chestnut curls laid in the hairstyle, illuminates the delicate skin with a pale blush. Light graceful head rotation. Facial features are only outlined by the artist, but we recognize the type of inspired “musat girl.”. Exalted and slightly detached, dreaming of something of her own, she seems like an elegant porcelain figurine.
Light clouds float through the azure sky. Behind the terrace, a riot of greenery – through the dense foliage of dark blue-green, grassy, juicy malachite and light emerald shades, dark tree trunks barely peek. Drawing them, the master imposes paints with small strokes, creating the effect of gentle trepidation of leaves.
Cold, haze blue and ash-gray halftones contrast with warm beige-drain colors, transmitting the play of light and shadow.
Fuzzy shape of the figure, slightly blurred colors of the terrace and dresses give the work a touch of unreality. Filled with light, very poetic, the picture envelops with warmth and tenderness.