Portrait (Cubo-Futurist Composition, Oil on Canvas) - Lyubov Popova

An abstract Cubo-Futurist composition by Lyubov Popova, featuring overlapping geometric planes in earth tones and black. This 1915 work demonstrates the artist's move toward radical abstraction.

Lyubov Popova was a leading figure of the Russian avant-garde during the early twentieth century. This work, titled Portrait, dates from approximately 1915. It represents her transition from Cubism to the more radical abstraction of Constructivism. The composition consists of overlapping geometric planes that suggest a human form without relying on traditional representation. Popova uses a palette of ochre, terracotta, black, and deep greens, contrasted against stark greys. The arrangement of shapes creates a sense of structural weight. Each plane appears to occupy a specific depth within the pictorial space. The application of paint is visible, with textured surfaces that add physical presence to the flat shapes. The central yellow plane dominates the upper half, while darker, vertical forms provide a base for the arrangement. During this period, Popova studied in Paris under Henri Le Fauconnier and Jean Metzinger. Their influence is visible in the way she deconstructs the subject into faceted components. Her work maintains a distinctively Russian character through its bold use of colour and architectural stability. This painting is part of a series where she explored the relationship between form and space, moving away from the depiction of objects toward pure painterly construction. The work reflects the broader shift in Russian art toward non-objective painting. Popova was interested in the mechanics of the image, focusing on how different weights and colours interact on a flat surface. This approach eventually led to her Painterly Architectonics series. By stripping away the literal features of a portrait, she focuses on the internal logic of the painting. The result is a balanced yet dynamic image that prioritises the formal qualities of art over narrative content.