The Moscow Show Booths 

Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky captured this lively scene with oil on canvas, showing the Moscow Show Booths. Flags of white, blue and red flutter, invoking the Russian flag and national pride. The Ferris wheel and carnival booths suggest a world of leisure, and the man on the stage points, almost as if he is directing the future. The circle, represented by the Ferris wheel, is a symbol as old as time itself, seen in ancient sun wheels and mandalas. It embodies the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. This symbol echoes through time. Consider the rose windows of Gothic cathedrals, their circular designs reflecting divine unity and cosmic order. Even the simple act of pointing connects to a deeper psychological need to orient ourselves in the world, to assert direction. It’s a gesture that transcends culture, yet evolves. Perhaps this universal appeal is why such images exert a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. These symbols resonate because they tap into our collective memory, resurfacing through history, constantly evolving.