Saklia in Alupka. 1886

Isaac Levitan created this painting, Saklia in Alupka, during a time of significant cultural and political change in Russia, marked by evolving national identity. Here, Levitan departs from traditional landscape painting, shifting our gaze to a humble dwelling nestled within the Crimean landscape. It presents us with the saklia, a traditional Tatar dwelling, its stone walls and simple structure speaking to the lives of the Crimean Tatar people. The scene is devoid of human presence, yet it resonates with a quiet dignity. Levitan, a Jew in a society marked by anti-Semitism, often explored themes of belonging and displacement in his art. The choice of subject matter prompts us to consider the position of the Crimean Tatars within the Russian Empire and the complex relationship between identity, land, and belonging. Through his sensitive portrayal of the landscape and its inhabitants, Levitan invites us to reflect on the emotional and historical dimensions of place.