In Ufa 

Mikhail Nesterov created this painting, *In Ufa*, with oil on canvas. The textures within the image suggest a swift and assured technique. Notice how the brushstrokes are direct and unblended, especially in the depiction of the buildings and sky. This 'alla prima' approach, working wet-on-wet, was favored by many impressionist painters for its ability to capture fleeting moments and atmospheric effects. But Nesterov’s choice of subject - a cityscape of Ufa - infuses the painting with social and cultural meaning. The painting is devoid of people, so it's up to us to imagine how they inhabit this space, and what their labor might entail. The minaret of the mosque, juxtaposed with the surrounding buildings, hints at the blend of cultures and architectural styles found in Ufa at that time. The very act of painting this urban landscape can be seen as a form of social engagement, capturing a sense of place and the changes occurring within it. Paintings like this remind us that even seemingly straightforward images carry layers of history and human experience.