View of Moscow 

Here is a sketch of Moscow by Arkhyp Kuindzhi. Note the prominence of the Orthodox churches, their domes and spires piercing the sky. These are not mere architectural features; they are symbols deeply embedded in the cultural and spiritual life of Russia. The onion dome, for instance, isn't just a shape; it represents a flame, a prayer rising to heaven, a connection between the earthly and the divine. We see similar aspirations reaching skyward in Gothic cathedrals, or even in the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia. The desire to transcend, to connect with something greater, manifests across cultures and epochs. But here, in Moscow, it carries a specific weight—a testament to the enduring power of faith and tradition in the Russian psyche. This image acts as a potent reminder of the eternal human quest for meaning, constantly reshaped by history.