The artwork “Painter Alexander Shevchenko” by Alexander Rodchenko was created in 1924 in Moscow, Russian Federation. This piece is executed in the medium of photomontage and is part of the Constructivism art movement, which is characterized by an abstract, modernist aesthetic. The genre of the artwork is photo-based art.
In this photomontage, we see an image that combines multiple photographic elements to create a composite. The figure in the artwork appears to be superimposed with a dual image, giving a sense of multiplicity or multiple perspectives. The primary figure is shown sitting, with a cigarette in his mouth and looking directly at the viewer. This figure’s gaze is intense and focused. A secondary, translucent image of the same person appears to be overlaid, looking off to the side, providing a contrast to the directness of the primary image. The use of double exposure creates a ghostly effect, suggesting movement or the passing of time. The attire of the figure suggests the style of the 1920s, and the overall composition is stark, emphasizing the contrasts between light and shadow as well as the layering of images. The work exemplifies the experimental and avant-garde nature of Constructivism, which sought to reflect the modern industrial world through art.
