“Building a City” is an artwork created by Nicholas Roerich in 1902, rendered in tempera on canvas. This piece belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and is a genre painting. It is part of the series “Beginning of Rus. Slavs” and is currently housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork depicts a detailed and bustling scene of city construction, capturing the essence of a historical Slavic building activity. Laborers are seen diligently working on erecting wooden structures, with scaffolding and tools scattered throughout the scene. The composition is rich with earthy tones, emphasizing the robust and industrious atmosphere. The architecture of the buildings suggests a medieval style, reflective of the historical period it aims to portray. The overall feel of the painting combines a sense of history, culture, and the collective effort involved in urban development.