View of Mtskheta from the mountain 1927

Pyotr Konchalovsky made this ink drawing, View of Mtskheta from the mountain, in 1927. Right away, you can see the artist wasn't trying to hide his process. He's feeling his way into the landscape, and we get to watch. It's really all about the lines here, isn't it? Look how the bare branches reach out, almost like they're testing the air, while the pine on the right has this wonderful scribble effect, giving it texture and depth. I find myself drawn to the way he uses the pencil to create shadows, especially around the little town in the distance. It's like he's inviting us to imagine the hustle and bustle of daily life happening right there. You know, this drawing reminds me a bit of some of Bonnard's landscapes, especially in the way he captures a sense of place with such economy of means. Both artists aren't about perfect representation, but about capturing a feeling, a mood, a sense of being in the world.