Pskov 1915

Konstantin Gorbatov’s oil painting presents the city of Pskov, with its churches looming over the river Velikaya. The golden domes and crosses reach skyward, symbols of faith and the enduring spirit of the Russian people. Consider the dome itself, a form echoing the heavens, a visual echo of Byzantine grandeur, yet here, it takes on a distinctly Russian character. We see the dome repeated across time, appearing in the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, and later in the churches of Moscow, each iteration layered with cultural and historical weight. This repetition of form is no accident. It reflects a deep-seated human need for continuity, for connecting with something larger than oneself. In Pskov, as in so many cities, these sacred structures provide a visual and emotional anchor, a testament to the enduring power of collective memory. The painting serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of history, where symbols resurface, transformed yet still resonant, in each new era.