Kovno. Gothic façade. 1903

This drawing of a gothic facade in Kovno was made by Nicholas Roerich in 1903. I can only imagine Roerich standing in front of the building squinting his eyes, making decisions about which lines to keep and which to omit. The texture of the building is gorgeous and the windows give it a playful touch. The heavy lines, combined with the light hues of the paper, suggest a kind of solid yet ethereal presence. The lines feel so personal and full of care, capturing the essence of the architecture with a loving gaze. It reminds me of Piranesi's architectural prints, but with a softer edge. There is such a pleasure in looking at a work that embodies the history of art and architecture through the eyes and hands of another artist. What a feeling!