The theme and figurative solution of this composition were suggested to Sudbinin by one of the best ballets from the "Russian Seasons" - "The Afternoon of a Faun" to the music of Claude Debussy, staged in 1912.
This work - the image of the ancient deity of forests and fields Faun - is deeper than simple Neoclassical stylization. The mythological character, half-man, half-animal is shown through the prism of a psychological portrait. Human features and animal forms, sharp facial expressions and gestures, relaxed and whimsical pose – all convey not thought and feeling, but emotion and sensation, brilliantly embodying the image of this misanthropic creature that is difficult to "portrait".

minimize...