Kelmė. Gates of estate. 1934

Mstislav Dobuzhinsky made this drawing of the Kelmė estate gates in 1954, using ink on paper. It's mostly monochrome, but the ink itself is doing a lot of work, going from almost transparent washes to thick, almost black lines. I’m really drawn to the roof, how each little tile is rendered with such care. It’s like Dobuzhinsky is mapping every shingle, but without getting all uptight about it. There’s a looseness that keeps it lively. And then you see the ladder leaning against the side, like a casual invitation to climb up and take a look around. There is a sense of depth and perspective, but the composition feels almost theatrical, like a stage set waiting for the actors to arrive. It reminds me a little of Piranesi’s architectural etchings, those grand, slightly unsettling spaces. Ultimately, this piece offers a glimpse into a world that feels both familiar and slightly out of reach. A place that exists somewhere between memory and imagination.