Moskvoretskaya Street 1805

Fyodor Alekseyev made this watercolor of Moskvoretskaya Street in Russia in the late 18th or early 19th century. Note how the perspective draws your eye down the street towards the horizon, and how the artist has paid close attention to architectural details. Consider the social and cultural context in which Alekseyev created this work. Russia was undergoing significant changes during this period, with efforts to modernize and Westernize the country's institutions. The emphasis on geometric perspective and classical architectural styles are evidence of the influence of Western European artistic traditions. Alekseyev was commissioned to document Russian cities, reflecting the state's interest in portraying itself as a modern, cultured nation. As art historians, we can examine primary sources such as government documents, architectural plans, and travel accounts to deepen our understanding of the painting's significance and its place in the social and institutional history of Russia.