Старая Москва Улица в Китай городе начала XVII века 1900 холст масло 125х178 см часть 2 - Russian and soviet artists Русские и советские художники

The canvas presents a bustling urban scene, seemingly capturing a moment in early seventeenth-century Moscow within the confines of the China Town district. Here we see a densely populated streetscape rendered with a palpable sense of immediacy and texture. The artist employed an impasto technique, evident in the thick application of paint that gives the buildings and figures a three-dimensional quality.
The composition is dominated by tightly packed wooden structures – dwellings and commercial establishments – arranged along both sides of a narrow thoroughfare. These buildings are characterized by steeply pitched roofs, projecting eaves, and intricate detailing, suggesting a vernacular architecture specific to the period. The color palette leans towards earthy tones: browns, ochres, and grays, punctuated by occasional splashes of red and green in clothing or architectural ornamentation.
In the background, several prominent onion-domed structures rise above the immediate street level. These likely represent churches or cathedrals, their silhouettes contributing to a sense of scale and historical depth. The hazy atmosphere softens the edges of these distant buildings, creating an impression of distance and emphasizing the foreground activity.
The figures populating the scene are diverse in dress and occupation. Merchants appear to be engaged in trade, while others seem to be simply passing through. A procession or group of individuals dressed in more formal attire moves along the street, drawing attention with their elaborate costumes. The artist has captured a range of expressions and postures, lending vitality to the composition.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of daily life, the painting seems to carry subtexts related to memory and national identity. The choice of subject matter – a specific district within Moscow from an earlier era – suggests a deliberate attempt to evoke a sense of historical continuity and cultural heritage. The somewhat idealized portrayal of the architecture and the vibrant activity in the street could be interpreted as a romanticized vision of Russia’s past, perhaps reflecting a desire to reconnect with traditions that were being lost or transformed during the period when this work was created.
The overall effect is one of both realism and nostalgia. While the artist meticulously rendered the details of the physical environment and its inhabitants, theres also an underlying sentimentality – a longing for a bygone era that informs the entire composition.