Leningrad Evening 

Vasile Dobrian created this woodcut print, Leningrad Evening, sometime in the 20th century. The archway is the dominant symbol, a structure that frames and filters our view, echoing historical triumphal arches. The arch, an ancient motif, often signifies transition and passage, appearing in Roman gateways and Renaissance paintings. Think of the Arch of Constantine, promising victory, or a church portal leading to spiritual enlightenment. Here, the arch frames a vision of the city beyond, like a promise, yet it also encloses, perhaps hinting at the constraints of urban life, a psychological barrier. The water, reflecting the city's light, is another potent symbol; water, both life-giving and destructive, mirrors our own subconscious depths. Consider its presence in baptismal rites, or Ophelia's watery fate. Thus, Leningrad Evening is not just a depiction of a city, but a powerful interplay of symbols, engaging our deepest cultural memories.