Description
The “Poet” is an evocative portrayal capturing the youthful, yet cultivated essence of a boy poised in a moment of creative fervor. Reminiscent of a traditional pose of melancholic reflection, the boy appears to be suspended in thought, his gaze possibly reflecting the inner workings of a mind engaged in the artistry of poetry.
Directly before the poet, an open book lies flat on the surface, its pages blank, inviting interpretation as a symbol of potential, creation, and the unknown stories yet to be penned. The presence of a handwritten page to the left of the book suggests the ongoing process of writing.
Central to the composition is the poem itself, a graphic existential love poem that is not merely an accessory to the painting but serves as a bridge to the artist’s soul. Penned by Kirill Marlinski in 2004, this multilingual tapestry of words weaves through five languages — Ukrainian, English, German, French, Russian — each verse adding a layer of complexity and universal appeal. Each language choice does not merely serve as a demonstration of linguistic skill but represents the interconnectedness of human experience and emotion, transcending cultural boundaries.
The discernible text invites viewers into the intimate world of the artist as a young poet, revealing the layers of his intellectual and emotional landscape. The choice to compose in various languages could be interpreted as an ode to the universality of love, a celebration of diversity, or a personal challenge to capture the nuances of feeling that sometimes escape translation.
The surrounding blues envelop the scene in a tranquil aura, with the light from above drawing a clear focus on the boy and his poetic creation. This illumination not only highlights the physical aspects of the boy and his work but also symbolizes the clarity and enlightenment that the act of writing brings to the otherwise chaotic and often incomprehensible thoughts and emotions. It is a manifestation of the ‘aha’ moment, where everything seems to align just right in the poet’s mind, allowing him to capture the perfect essence of his thoughts on paper.
This painting, therefore, is not merely a visual representation but a multi-sensory journey into the depths of a young creative mind. It is a freeze-frame of the tumultuous act of creation, capturing the raw beauty of a poem’s birth and the poet’s silent dialogue with the canvas of his imagination.
Title : Poet
Type : oil painting on canvas
Size: 100 * 110 cm
Year : 2004 – 2018
