Bethlehem 1935

Konstantin Gorbatov painted 'Bethlehem' without specifying the exact date of its creation. Gorbatov was a Russian artist who, like many, experienced displacement and loss due to the Russian Revolution. His paintings often capture a sense of nostalgia for pre-revolutionary Russia, but in this work, we see a landscape from the Middle East. Gorbatov's personal experiences of displacement as a result of political upheaval are reflected in the painting, which speaks to themes of migration, identity, and cultural exchange. The buildings and landscape bathed in warm light evoke a feeling of timelessness. The figures, possibly women, carrying what appears to be goods, add a layer of human presence. This depiction of daily life provides a human connection to a place with deep historical roots. The way Gorbatov captures the landscape invites us to reflect on the many layers of history and human experience embedded within it.