The artwork titled “Smolensk. Tower,” created by artist Nicholas Roerich in 1903, is an exemplary piece from the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement. This cityscape belongs to the series “Sketches from Travels in Old Russian Cities” and is currently housed in the State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork depicts a section of a fortified tower, presumably part of the historical architecture of Smolensk. The robust wall and the tower’s substantial form are rendered in a warm palette, with rich ochres and earth tones, giving it a sense of solidity and permanence. Striking details, such as the small windows and the crenellated parapet, accentuate the tower’s medieval character. The play of light and shadow across the stone surface enhances the textural quality of the structure, reflecting Roerich’s skillful use of light to evoke a sense of time and atmosphere. The composition draws the viewer’s eye upwards, emphasizing the grandeur and timelessness of the ancient construction.
