Siena 1912

Pyotr Konchalovsky captured "Siena" in oil on canvas, using expressive color. Born in Russia in 1876, Konchalovsky was part of the Jack of Diamonds group, a collective which sought to challenge conventional tastes. Looking at this landscape, you see how he’s less interested in traditional representation, and more invested in exploring color and form. There's a sense of the artist's own experience of the landscape. The vivid colors and bold brushstrokes seem to convey the energy and spirit of the place, rather than a photographic depiction. Konchalovsky worked during a time of significant social and political upheaval in Russia, and he was influenced by the avant-garde movements emerging across Europe. How does this depiction of Siena resonate with you?