Title: “Element of Fire”
Artist: Arthur Brahinskiy
In looking through Russian artwork that could serve as a representation of Lara, I was largely disappointed by what I found. Nothing seemed to contain, the passion, beauty, mystique, and above all, cosmic magnitude that embodied Lara throughout Dr. Zhivago. Then I stumbled on the contemporary piece, “Element of Fire.” It was created in 2006 by Arthur Brahinskiy and proved to be a more than suitable match.
With her eyes closed and head tilted to the sky, she exudes grace and dignity, which were qualities that Lara seemed to possess without ever trying to do so. This dignity is particularly meaningful given her humble beginnings as the daughter of a sweatshop owner and in her young adult life, as a sort of courtesan of Komarovsky in payment for his support of her mother financially. Fire’s bare body also represents the destruction of Lara’s innocence in her young life at the hand’s of Komarovsky and the erotic aspect that Pasternak connects with Lara throughout the novel.
What I love most about this piece of art is the cosmic quality that it has, bringing Lara to life. Her fiery hair, spilling over her shoulders and down her back, swirls around her in cosmic whirlwind. Streams of wind or long trailing veils wrap themselves around her body and throughout the scene. The colors are so exotic, warm, and brilliant, it enhances her cosmic beauty even more.
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