Sketch majolica. 1898 Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

The artwork presents a panoramic view of a townscape situated along a body of water. A horizontal plane, likely representing a river or lake bank, dominates the foreground, rendered in muted ochre tones that create a sense of distance and recession. This plane abruptly terminates at a stylized, triangular structure – a Christmas tree – positioned centrally within the composition. The tree’s form is simplified, its branches indicated by geometric shapes in shades of green and white, suggesting an ornamental rather than naturalistic representation.
Beyond this foreground element, the town unfolds. Buildings are depicted as blocky masses with minimal detail, their forms reduced to essential outlines in a palette of whites, grays, and muted browns. Rooflines vary, hinting at different architectural styles and ages within the urban environment. A few spires punctuate the skyline, adding verticality and suggesting religious or civic significance. The water itself is rendered as a dark band, reflecting the colors of the sky above – a deep blue transitioning to lighter hues near the horizon.
The overall effect is one of deliberate simplification and stylization. Theres an absence of individual figures or specific details that would ground the scene in a particular time or place. The limited color range contributes to a sense of formality and restraint, while the geometric forms suggest an interest in pattern and structure rather than realistic representation.
Subtly, the juxtaposition of the natural (the tree) with the constructed environment (the town) invites contemplation on themes of human intervention within nature, or perhaps a symbolic representation of tradition and community during a specific season. The flattened perspective and lack of depth create an almost decorative quality, suggesting that the scene is less about conveying a literal reality and more about exploring formal relationships between shapes and colors. The inscription in the lower right corner, though illegible without further context, reinforces the sense of this being a preliminary study or sketch – a moment of artistic exploration rather than a finished work.