Types of St. Petersburg. 1894 Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The composition presents a cityscape viewed through an elaborate, ornamental frame. The lower portion of the frame is populated with floral motifs, while the upper reaches feature sculpted figures – likely cherubic or angelic in nature – emerging from foliage and displaying wings. This framing device immediately establishes a sense of idealized observation, suggesting that what lies beyond is something precious or worthy of reverence.
The central vista reveals a long, imposing building complex situated along a body of water. The architecture appears grand and symmetrical, rendered in warm terracotta hues which contrast with the cool grey tones of the water’s surface. A hazy atmosphere softens the details of the buildings, creating a sense of distance and perhaps even suggesting a dreamlike quality.
Above the cityscape, the sky is filled with swirling forms – likely intended to represent clouds or possibly ethereal beings. These shapes are executed in light, feathery brushstrokes, contributing to an overall feeling of lightness and transcendence. The presence of what appear to be winged figures within this aerial space reinforces the sense of a realm beyond the earthly.
The painting’s subtexts seem to revolve around themes of aspiration and idealized beauty. The ornate frame acts as a symbolic window onto a city perceived not merely as a collection of buildings, but as an embodiment of cultural achievement and perhaps even spiritual significance. The ethereal quality of the sky and the presence of angelic figures suggest a connection between the earthly realm and something higher or divine. It is possible that the work intends to convey a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, presenting a vision of urban grandeur filtered through a lens of idealized memory.