María Plakhova

Author: Maria Plakhova

Tittle : "Venezia 1997"

Estile: Urban Landscape

Measures: 81x65 cm

Skill: Oil on Cambas

Suport: Cardboard

Age: 1997

Plakhova´s Paintings

His works, be they landscapes, portraits or genre paintings, seek as essential the veracity of the captured, principle of observation, living movement of the brush. The sketches "En el Don" with their images of the river at dawn and dusk, colorful golden water and sky, small boat lost on the surface of the great river, end up forming a mature picture that later appears in the most prestigious Muscovite exhibitions. "Evening on the Don" is part of the exhibition of the main exhibition hall of Moscow and is acquired by the Fund of the Russian Ministry of Culture.

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"Venezia 1997"

The work presented is an oil artistic interpretation of an urban landscape of Venice, known for its historic canals and distinctive architecture. The painting measures 961x768 mm and appears to be a representation of the iconic Basilica of Saint Mark and its surroundings, although captured through an impressionist style that favors the atmosphere and the general impression on the precise details.

The artist has used a palette of blues, whites and touches of pink to capture the luminous and aquatic essence of Venice. Light seems to reflect off the surfaces of water, buildings and the sky, creating a glowing effect that is both realistic and ethereal. The brushstrokes are loose and fluid, which gives the scene a dynamic and vibrant quality. The brushstrokes are loose and fluid, giving the scene a dynamic and vibrant quality. In the foreground, several gondolas are visible, their presence suggested more than detailed, floating above the reflection of light in the water. Gondoliers and passengers are implicit in the shape and movement of brushstrokes.

The architecture of the Basilica stands majestically in the background, with its characteristic domes and arches, although the representation is more an evocation than a literal reproduction. The sky above the city is a mixture of moving clouds, capturing the changing light that is so characteristic of the Venetian atmosphere. The signature of the artist, located in the lower right corner, gives a seal of authenticity and personality to the work. This painting is a testament to the timeless charm of Venice, interpreted through the eyes of an artist who privileges emotion and sensation over exact representation. It would be an outstanding piece in any art collection, especially appreciated by those who value expressive representations of historic urban landscapes.

"The Russian Handkerchief 1990"

This painting by Plakhova is a vibrant and fantastical work, almost dreamlike in nature, that seems to celebrate Russian culture and architecture within a frame reminiscent of a rug or tapestry with decorative borders. The scene is framed by an ornamental border with geometric patterns and colors that range from orange to green and blue. Within this frame, the composition is divided into two main halves. The upper half displays a nighttime scene with a dark blue sky featuring two phases of the moon and white birds in flight, suggesting freedom and movement. This part appears to be a distant view of a seascape where the water reflects the sky's hues, and the sails of ships suggest activity and navigation.

The lower half is more terrestrial, populated with figures and structures that evoke daily life and spirituality. To the left, a church with green and golden domes occupies a prominent place, while to the right, a taller, pink structure with black domes rises. Between these two structures, there is a platform where human figures seem to interact around a table, some standing and others sitting, which could be a market scene or a social gathering. In the foreground, several human figures are depicted in various activities: some walking, some appearing to dance, and objects that might be interpreted as goods or perhaps musical instruments, adding a sense of everyday life and celebration.

The painting's style is expressionist, with thick brushstrokes and liberal paint application creating texture on the canvas's surface. The colors are rich and saturated, with a preference for primary tones that lend a vibrant and energetic quality to the scene. The work is a visual tapestry that seems to tell a story, inviting the viewer to interpret the multiple narratives that could be occurring simultaneously in this stylized and colorful space

Author: Maria Plakhova

Tittle : "The Russian Handkerchief 1990"

Estile: Tapestry

Measures: 81x65 cm

Skill: Oil on Cambas

Suport: Cardboard

Age: 1997

"Spring Flowers"

This image shows a still life oil painting rich in textures and vibrant in color. The composition centers around two floral arrangements, each in its own container on a surface suggesting a table or a bench. The arrangement on the left is contained in a white ceramic-looking vase with touches of light blue, giving it a sense of volume and depth. It features a mix of flowers and buds, possibly orchids or wildflowers, with petals in shades of magenta, violet, white, and touches of teal, rising and spreading carelessly. The arrangement on the right, more prominent in size and color, displays what appear to be bright yellow daffodils. These are contained in a dark green glass vase with shiny highlights that suggest the incidence of light. The yellow flowers, with their thick brushstroke texture, contrast vigorously against the bluish-gray background, conveying a sense of light and energy.

The background is abstract, with brushstrokes in shades of gray, blue, and touches of green, creating a tranquil atmosphere that does not compete with the vivid colors of the floral arrangements. The surface where the vases rest has reflections and shadows suggesting a smooth material, perhaps fabric or a varnished table, with gentle folds and a subtle play of light and shadow. The brushstroke technique is loose and expressive, typical of Impressionism, where the mixing of colors is done largely on the canvas rather than on the palette, allowing the tones to intermingle and convey a sense of vibrant movement. The color palette is rich and varied, balancing the warm tones of the flowers with the cool tones of the background and glass container. The work as a whole captures the ephemeral beauty of the floral arrangements with a vitality that seems to transcend the stillness of the genre

Author: Maria Plakhova

Tittle : "Spring Flowers"

Estile: Urban Landscape

Measures: 81x65 cm

Skill: Oil on Cambas

Suport: Cardboard

Age: 1997

"San Basilio´s Cathedral"

The presented image is a painting that represents the iconic St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. This artwork is characterized by its exuberant and dynamic use of color and texture, evident in the thick, vibrant brushstrokes that bring the canvas to life. The cathedral stands at the center of the composition with its multiple domes and towers in vivid colors. Each dome is unique, adorned with patterns that suggest tiles or bricks in shades ranging from rust red and warm orange to emerald green and cobalt blue.

The domes are topped with golden crosses that capture the light, adding a sparkle that contrasts with the richness of the underlying colors. The sky above the cathedral is a blend of blues, grays, and whites with brushstrokes that create the sensation of a moving, cloudy sky. This technique adds atmospheric drama that enhances the magnificence of the structure. The base of the cathedral and the square surrounding it are portrayed in a variety of brown, ochre tones, and touches of white, suggesting stone and paved surfaces often seen in historic Russian architecture. The presence of human figures is minimal, with a solitary figure at the bottom providing a scale that highlights the grandeur of the building.

The painting combines realism in its architectural representation with an Impressionist approach in its pictorial technique. The artist has succeeded in capturing not only the physical structure of the cathedral but also the spirit and emotion it evokes. This impressive piece of Russian heritage is a colorful and lively tribute to one of Russia's most famous landmarks.

Author: Maria Plakhova

Tittle : "San Basilio´s Cathedral"

Estile: Urban Landscape

Measures: 81x65 cm

Skill: Oil on Cambas

Suport: Cardboard

Age: 1997

"The Fires over the Village of Bongu"

The work before us is a canvas full of life and color that represents a vibrant scene, possibly of a tropical village or camp. The artist's technique is energetic and textured, with visible brushstrokes that add a sense of movement and dynamism to the composition. In the scene, palm trees rise toward a tumultuous sky painted in shades of blue, pink, and touches of white, suggesting it could be dawn or dusk. The palm leaves are represented with dark, deliberate strokes that stand out against the lighter sky, creating a sense of wind and movement. The lower part of the painting shows structures that appear to be huts or cabins with conical roofs typical of some tropical cultures.

They are painted in shades of white, gray, and touches of darker colors that suggest the shadow and structure of the buildings. The most striking feature is the fire that seems to burn at the center of the scene, with flames reaching toward the sky painted in vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. Around the fire, tiny human figures may be dancing or moving, contributing to a sense of community and festivity. The ground of the village is outlined in warm colors that reflect the light of the fire, and the shadows of the figures and palm trees are cast upon it, adding depth and perspective to the scene.

The use of light in this painting is notable; the artist has used contrasts of light and shadow to create a sense of time and place that is both specific and timeless. The piece as a whole is an explosion of activity and color that captures a moment of joy and energy within the life of the depicted village, and belongs to the collection of paintings made by María Plakhova during the 1977 expedition to Oceania

Author: Maria Plakhova

Tittle : "The Fires over the Village of Bongu"

Estile: Urban Landscape

Measures: 81x65 cm

Skill: Oil on Cambas

Suport: Cardboard

Age: 1997

"The Mourners of Russia 1998"

The painting we observe is intensely expressive, characterized by a palette of dark colors and a technique that seems to merge the figure with the background, creating a sense of emotional turbulence. The human figures are the central focus, represented with an almost sculptural quality that stands out on the textured canvas. The two figures appear to be in motion, their contours and features defined by thick brushstrokes and the use of light and shadow rather than by clear lines.

The use of color is limited, with browns, blacks, and grays predominating, with occasional touches of white and earth tones that add depth and contrast. The background is abstract, blending with the figures, making it difficult to discern where one ends and the other begins. There are elements that appear to be candles or lights at the top, providing small notes of color in an otherwise gloomy setting. This might suggest a nighttime scene or a dimly lit interior. The texture of the painting is remarkable, with paint applied in layers that provide a tactile density.

The artist may have used the impasto technique, where paint is applied so thickly that the brush or palette knife marks are clearly visible, creating a surface that almost invites touch. The expression of the figures is enigmatic; their faces are inclined, and their mouths slightly open as if they were in the midst of singing or shouting, adding a dramatic element to the work. The dynamic between the two figures is central and seems to capture a moment of emotional or spiritual intensity. The work conveys a sense of internal struggle or passion, capturing a moment that is charged with energy and seems to be on the verge of resolution or catharsis.

Author: Maria Plakhova

Tittle : "The Mourners of Russia 1998"

Estile:

Measures: 81x65 cm

Skill: Oil on Cambas

Suport: Cardboard

Age: 1998

"The Russian Handkerchief"

The image shows an oil work that appears to represent a fairy tale scene set in Russia, titled "The Russian Scarf." The painting, full of colors and energy, is framed in a style reminiscent of Expressionism or Naïve art, where traditional perspective and realism are displaced in favor of a more emotional and symbolic representation.

The scene is completed with human figures in various activities: some seem to interact in the foreground, while others are perched on rooftops, adding life and a human scale to the ensemble. The use of vivid colors and contrasts for the figures and architecture creates a vibrant, festive atmosphere. The frame within the painting, decorated with geometric motifs and colors that complement the central scene, functions as a scarf wrapping the narrative, suggesting that the image could be a view through a traditional Russian scarf or a metaphorical representation of Russian cultural heritage. The color palette, theme, and technique make the work suitable for collectors and art enthusiasts interested in pieces that reflect Russian culture and folklore with a unique and personalized perspective.

Author: Maria Plakhova

Tittle : "The Russian Handkerchief"

Estile: Tapestry

Measures: 81x65 cm

Skill: Oil on Cambas

Suport: Cardboard

Age: 1997

"Boris Godunov. Cathedral"

The work is an oil painting offering an Impressionist vision, likely inspired by the historic architecture of the Cathedral of the Assumption in the Kremlin of Moscow, given the prominence of the golden domes. The cathedral's domes capture the light, reflecting it in shades ranging from gold to copper, suggesting the grandeur and sacred character of the building. These bright structures rise above the church's white and robust walls, illuminated by light filtering through clouds or mist, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

The use of light is a distinctive feature of the painting, with rays seeming to emanate from the doors and windows, invoking a sense of mysticism and reverence. Human figures dressed traditionally move through the open space in front of the cathedral, adding scale and life to the scene. The artist's technique is free and expressive, with bold and quick brushstrokes that seek not to define precisely but to capture the essence and atmosphere of the place. The color palette is limited but effective, using contrasts of light and dark to highlight the architecture and human activity.

This painting would be highly appreciated by those who value artistic interpretation of historical architecture and culturally significant places, as well as by lovers of the Impressionist style seeking to capture light and emotion in their collections.

Author: Maria Plakhova

Tittle : "Boris Godunov. Cathedral"

Estile: Urban Landscape

Measures: 81x65 cm

Skill: Oil on Cambas

Suport: Cardboard

Age: 1997

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