Landscape with lake 1922

Konstantin Bogaevsky made this graphite drawing, "Landscape with Lake," with a real dedication to the process, you can see it in the layered marks. It is like he built it up slowly, one little touch at a time. The way he uses graphite is so interesting. It is not just about making a picture, it is about the feel of the graphite on the paper, the smudging, and the build-up of tone. Look at the water, see how the reflections are almost vibrating with energy. Then there are the buildings and mountains that feel so solid. The contrast between the solid forms and the shimmering light creates a really dreamy atmosphere. Bogaevsky's landscapes always have a sense of mystery. I'm reminded of Piranesi’s etchings of imaginary prisons, but this is more like a stage set, both epic and intimate at the same time. It is a place where you can get lost in your thoughts, a landscape of the mind.