landscape, churches (new jerusalem) 1916 Aristarkh Lentulov (1882-1943)

The composition presents a densely packed urban landscape dominated by architectural forms that appear to be religious structures – churches or cathedrals – though rendered in a highly abstracted style. The perspective is fragmented and disorienting; theres no clear vanishing point, contributing to a sense of spatial ambiguity. Buildings are stacked upon one another, creating an almost claustrophobic effect.
The color palette is striking, employing bold contrasts between greens, blues, yellows, and whites. These hues aren’t used naturalistically but rather to emphasize the emotional impact of the scene. The green tones, particularly prominent in the foreground and surrounding the buildings, evoke a sense of both vitality and perhaps an unsettling artificiality. The blue sky above is sharply delineated against the architectural massing, adding to the overall feeling of tension.
The artist’s brushwork is characterized by angular shapes and abrupt transitions. Lines are not smooth or flowing but rather defined and often jagged, contributing to the fractured nature of the scene. This technique lends a sense of dynamism and instability to the composition. The forms themselves appear simplified, reduced to their essential geometric components – cones, cylinders, and planes – which further distances them from realistic representation.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of faith, spirituality, and perhaps societal upheaval. The towering structures suggest aspiration and grandeur, but their distorted appearance hints at a loss of certainty or a questioning of established beliefs. The crowded arrangement of buildings could be interpreted as symbolizing both community and confinement, while the jarring color combinations might reflect inner turmoil or a sense of impending crisis. The overall impression is one of intense emotionality conveyed through a deliberate rejection of traditional representational techniques. It’s not merely a depiction of a place but an expression of a psychological state – a landscape of the soul, perhaps – shaped by anxieties and uncertainties.