A View of Capri 

Konstantin Gorbatov painted this view of Capri in 1926, using oil on canvas. Gorbatov's artistic career was deeply entwined with the turbulent social and political upheavals of early 20th-century Russia. The island of Capri, off the coast of Italy, became a haven for Russian artists and writers seeking refuge from these upheavals. Here, Gorbatov captures the vibrant atmosphere of the island, which served as a space for cultural exchange and artistic experimentation outside the constraints of Russia. As a social art historian, one can explore the artistic networks and intellectual circles that formed around places like Capri. Researching letters, diaries, and other primary source material, for example, reveals the complex dynamics of exile, artistic freedom, and cultural identity that shaped Gorbatov's work and that of many of his contemporaries.