In the portrait Molchanova space is built with the help of two oncoming diagonals. The role of the first is performed by an illuminated figure of a girl sitting in the foreground with a right leg extended forward. From the darkness, diagonal pleats of a Cossack’s skirt meet her.
The lightest part of the drapery is located in the upper right-hand corner of the picture: from there, along the convex edges of the folds, the rays of light slide towards the figure, as if pointing it out to the viewer. The left hand holding the book and Molchanova’s right hand raised in a certain pointing gesture only support the total light weight of the dress, distinguish it against the general dark background of the picture.
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