Venice 

Editor: This lively cityscape is simply titled "Venice," an oil on canvas attributed to Konstantin Gorbatov. It feels like a fleeting moment, a vibrant memory of a day by the water. What strikes you most when you look at it? Curator: Ah, Venice. Just the name conjures images of romance and decay! It is almost as though the colours are whispering secrets; pale pinks and yellows battling for supremacy, all reflected in that dreamy turquoise water. The sky seems to press down on the buildings; does that resonate with you? Editor: Yes, absolutely. There is a tangible sense of atmosphere. Why do you think Gorbatov chose this loose, almost blurry style? Curator: I imagine it wasn't merely a choice but rather an attempt to capture the true essence of the place – its shimmering, ever-shifting reality. He was working *en plein air,* so the light and atmosphere were of utmost importance. Consider, also, how his heritage as a Russian émigré impacted his desire to depict grand cities that would soon vanish following two World Wars! Does that shift your perspective? Editor: It definitely does. I hadn't thought about it in relation to his personal history. Knowing that, it feels like a poignant snapshot, preserving a Venice that was already fading away. Curator: Exactly! And perhaps that’s the magic of it all. The blurry lines aren’t imperfections; they are the passage of time itself, blurring the edges of our memories. Editor: Well, I will never look at a cityscape quite the same way. Thanks for opening my eyes to the story behind the shimmering surface. Curator: The pleasure was all mine! There are so many tales woven within those painted strokes if we just listen close enough.