The artwork, “Kostroma. Belfry of Ipatievsky monastery,” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1903. This piece is part of the “Sketches from travels in old Russian cities” series and showcases the Art Nouveau (Modern) art movement. It falls under the genre of cityscape and captures a slice of the architectural heritage of Kostroma through the lens of Roerich.
Depicted in the artwork is a close view of the belfry of the Ipatievsky Monastery, which presents itself with a sense of monumentality despite the canvas’s limited scope. The distinctive architectural features are rendered with a loose brushwork that conveys both the texture of the aged materials and the play of light on the surfaces. With a palette consisting of earthy tones, the artwork focuses on the architectural elements, highlighting the belfry’s conical spire, the balustrade, and the sturdy walls of the monastery. The sky behind the belfry is washed in a muted color, which allows the structure to stand out, affirming its historical and cultural significance. Roerich’s treatment gives a sense of the timelessness of the scene depicted, resonating with the ethos of the Art Nouveau movement’s affinity for beauty, craftsmanship, and the bridging of art with everyday life.
