View of the New Jerusalem Monastery near Moscow 1797

This 1797 watercolor by Giacomo Quarenghi, a prominent Italian architect who worked extensively in Russia, depicts the New Jerusalem Monastery near Moscow. The scene, framed by a stone arch, presents a view of the monastery's imposing complex with its numerous onion-shaped domes, characteristic of Russian Orthodox architecture. The inclusion of figures in the foreground, going about their daily lives, adds a sense of scale and realism to the composition. The detailed rendering of the monastery's architecture, as well as the surrounding landscape, showcases Quarenghi's masterful skills as a draftsman and his keen eye for detail. The work provides a glimpse into the architectural landscape of Russia during the late 18th century and highlights the influence of Italian Neoclassical style on Russian religious architecture.