Kitezh The Great 1920

Konstantin Korovin painted this dream-like vision of Kitezh, Russia, with oil on board, probably in the late 19th or early 20th century. The legend of Kitezh is rooted in Russia's complex relationship with the Tartar invasions and the preservation of its Orthodox Christian culture. According to the legend, the city was miraculously submerged in Lake Svetloyar to escape capture, becoming invisible to its enemies. It's said that the faithful can still see its reflection in the water. Korovin captures this sense of spiritual mystery through a painterly style that borders on abstraction. His impressionistic brushstrokes and muted palette evokes a sense of longing for a place that exists just beyond our grasp. To understand the painting, we need to delve into Russian folklore, religious history, and the development of Russian Symbolist art. By understanding the institutional and social context, we can appreciate how Korovin transformed a national myth into a timeless vision of faith and resilience.