“Smolensk. The porch of the convent,” created by Nicholas Roerich in 1903, is an artwork that belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and is categorized under the cityscape genre. This piece is part of a series titled “Sketches from travels in old Russian cities” and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork features a portion of a convent’s porch in Smolensk, showcasing Roerich’s characteristic attention to architectural details and his ability to capture the serene, yet imposing presence of historical structures. The brushwork and color palette, typically subdued yet rich in tones of earth and stone, evoke a sense of timelessness and reverence for the architectural heritage. The slanted roof and the sturdy columns illustrate the structural strength of the building, while the steps leading up to the porch invite the viewer to envision the stories and historical significance of the site.
