Dawn by Irina Merkulova
Explore Mondoir Studio
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 50 x 70 cm
Year: 2025
Price: $449.00 USD
Status: available
In creating "Dawn," I wanted to capture that magical moment when the world feels fresh and full of promise. The figure stands at the threshold of a new day, wrapped in the gentle embrace of morning light. This piece is about those quiet moments of introspection, when the possibilities ahead seem endless. The soft blue tones and the open expanse of the sea invite a sense of freedom and peace. I used broad, flowing brushstrokes to mimic the gentle movement of the ocean, aiming to evoke the tranquility and vastness of the horizon. The light streaming in through the open doors symbolizes new beginnings, casting a warm glow that gently awakens the senses. I hope that "Dawn" brings a sense of calm and renewal to those who experience it. It’s a reminder of the beauty in stillness and the quiet strength found in embracing each new day with an open heart. May it fill your space with serenity and light, encouraging moments of reflection and inspiration.
Why collect this work?
A back-turned figure, held within the geometry of open doors, turns dawn into a threshold between domestic enclosure and an exterior that remains visible but unreached.
- Merkulova states that her practice examines women’s quiet presence and inner stillness. The concealed face and upright pose support that aim here without determining the figure’s thoughts.
- In the photograph, doorframes, balcony rails, and canvas edges successively contain the figure. Raised arms broaden her upper body, while an elongated floor shadow keeps the composition weighted toward the room.
- Catalogued as oil on canvas, the painting differentiates sky, architecture, clothing, and skin through broad directional marks. These visible changes of stroke interrupt seamless illusion and make the scene feel actively assembled.
- Encountered as a study of thresholds, the work holds concealment against openness and bodily stillness against implied morning change. Its ambiguity rests on withholding what follows: departure, return, or continued pause.
About the Artist
Irina Merkulova
Irina Merkulova is an artist on Mondoir Studio. Artistic discipline: painting. Based in Dubai, AE.
Nationality: Russian
I am interested in moments of inner stillness — states that exist beyond narrative, time, or place.
