Temple of Tanit 1909

Konstantin Korovin made this painting of the Temple of Tanit using dark oil paints and broad brushstrokes. I can imagine him, brush in hand, trying to capture the grandness of the scene. What grabs me is how the darkness and dramatic use of light shape your experience of the space. Korovin layers the paint to build up the imposing columns and walls. Look at how the columns emerge from the darkness, solid and weighty. It's like he's saying, "Here's what I see, what do you see?" This reminds me of other painters like Piranesi, who also loved to explore architectural spaces through expressive mark-making. It’s this conversation across time that inspires me. There’s a sense of ambiguity in the way Korovin uses his brushstrokes, inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the temple.