The work depicts Tabakov seated on theatrical boards, wrapped in a red scarf, leaning against a stylised “atom” — a symbol of talent. The image refers to a remark by playwright Viktor Rozov, who once described the young actor’s presence on stage as if he had “swallowed an atom of the sun,” radiating light and energy throughout the performance. 

Inside the spherical form, the word talent is engraved repeatedly, while surrounding elements reference personal and professional facets of Tabakov’s life: nearby appears the figure of Matroskin the Cat, along with symbolic objects evoking his origins and intimate, everyday imagery.

“Atom of the Sun”
Oleg Tabakov — Moscow