Ancient town 

Konstantin Bogaevsky painted this watercolour, ‘Ancient Town’, imbuing it with a sense of timelessness. The architectural ruins evoke a feeling of the cyclical nature of civilization. Notice the recurring motif of mountains, often seen as symbols of permanence, strength, and a connection to the divine. They appear in various cultures, from Mount Olympus in Greek mythology, the home of the gods, to Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. The rugged peaks can also be seen as a reflection of the challenges and trials faced by humanity. In contrast, ruins remind us that all things are impermanent. This tension creates a powerful emotional response, engaging our subconscious awareness of the continuous cycle of destruction and rebirth that shapes human history. The town becomes an emblem of both aspiration and decay. The ruins, while physically still, provoke a meditation on the ephemeral nature of human achievements.