The artwork “Old town” is a creation of Nicholas Roerich, dated 1902, which belongs to the series “Sketches from travels in old Russian cities”. This piece reflects the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and is categorized within the cityscape genre, demonstrating Roerich’s profound exploration of Russian urban landscapes during this time.
In the artwork, viewers are presented with a panoramic view of a dense settlement characterized by traditional Russian architectural forms. The composition is dominated by a succession of rooftops and structures, built close together, conveying the sense of a tightly knit community. The use of a muted, earthy palette suggests the harshness of the environment and the simplicity of the town’s construction. The buildings, with their wooden planks and pointed roofs, are indicative of vernacular Russian architecture, standing harmoniously with the natural landscape. Despite being rendered in a seemingly quick and sketch-like manner, the scene captures a wealth of detail that reflects the texture and materiality of the town. This, along with the deliberate absence of figures, evokes a quiet, frozen moment in time, allowing the viewer to contemplate the historical and cultural context encapsulated within the artwork. The landscape itself appears to be blanketed in snow, indicative of the region’s cold climate, with the sky rendered in a lighter tone that contrasts with the earthiness of the built environment. Roerich’s portrayal of this old town is not only significant for its aesthetic attributes but also serves as an artistic document of Russian cultural heritage.
