Konstantin Razumov (b. 1974)
“Odalisque in Red”
oil on canvas
35 × 24 cm, 42 × 53 cm (with frame)
signed lower left (in Cyrillic) and on the reverse
framed
A decorative, sensual composition belonging to one of the most characteristic strands of Konstantin Razumov’s work—depictions of elegant women, nudes, and scenes inspired by Orientalism. The artist combines academic precision in rendering the figures with a freer, impressionistic approach to painting the surroundings.
At the center of the composition is an odalisque dressed in a semi-transparent red robe, depicted against the backdrop of a richly decorated interior. The intense red of the garment contrasts with the cool blues of the ornamental wall and the bright landscape visible through the arcade. The light, softly modeling her silhouette, emphasizes the intimate and sensual nature of the scene.
Razumov consciously draws on the tradition of 19th-century Orientalism here, but imbues it with a contemporary, more painterly lightness. The painting stands out for its attractive color palette, subtle eroticism, and striking, decorative composition.
Konstantin Razumov (b. 1974) – a Russian figurative painter, known primarily for his depictions of women, nudes, salon scenes, and landscapes. He was born in Moscow and studied at the Ilya Glazunov Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture.
In his work, he combines academic precision in drawing with an impressionistic approach to light and color. His work is characterized by elegant female figures, softly modeled by light, a light palette, and more freely painted backgrounds. He often draws on salon, garden, and Orientalist motifs, referencing the tradition of European painting at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
His paintings regularly appear on the international auction market, particularly in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. The most recognizable part of his body of work consists of depictions of women, in which the realism of the figures is combined with a decorative style and Impressionist influences.
