Pskov 1905

Konstantin Gorbatov made this painting, Pskov, with oil on canvas. I imagine he was standing on a balcony, teacup at his side, patiently capturing the city’s reflection on the water. Look at how the artist layers blues and whites, the dabs of paint coming together like soft clouds in the sky. It’s like he’s recreating the scene with each brushstroke. I bet he felt the cool breeze coming off the water, and maybe that cup of tea kept him company as he worked. The buildings seem to shimmer, their colours slightly blurred as they meet the water. He’s not just painting a picture; he’s capturing a feeling, a moment in time. Painters like Gorbatov remind me that we’re all part of this ongoing visual conversation, riffing off each other’s ideas and techniques, trying to find new ways to express ourselves. And that’s what makes painting so alive and exciting.