Night street. Paris. 1902 Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

The canvas presents a nocturnal urban scene, seemingly depicting a Parisian street in the early years of the twentieth century. The composition is dominated by a sense of enclosure; tall buildings line both sides of the thoroughfare, their forms blurred and indistinct under a heavy, greenish-grey sky. These structures appear to press inward, creating a palpable feeling of confinement for those traversing the space below.
The artist employed a loose, expressive brushstroke throughout, prioritizing atmosphere over precise detail. The buildings are rendered as masses of color rather than architectural representations, contributing to an overall impression of dreamlike ambiguity. Light sources – likely gas lamps or early electric lights – are scattered across the scene, their glow manifesting as pools of warm yellow and orange that struggle against the pervasive gloom. These points of illumination do not offer clarity but instead create a fragmented, almost hallucinatory effect.
Figures populate the street, though they are largely indistinguishable from one another; they appear as dark silhouettes moving within the shadows. Their anonymity reinforces the sense of detachment and alienation characteristic of modern urban life. The viewer is positioned at eye level with these figures, suggesting an empathetic connection to their experience of navigating this environment.
The color palette is restrained, primarily consisting of muted greens, greys, browns, and yellows. This limited range contributes to a somber mood, evoking feelings of melancholy and isolation. The overall effect is not one of celebratory urban vibrancy but rather a quiet contemplation on the anonymity and potential loneliness inherent in modern city living. Theres an underlying tension between the desire for connection and the isolating nature of the built environment.

The signature at the bottom right corner indicates the work was created in Paris, 1902.