Nice. The street at night. 1909 Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

The canvas presents a nocturnal urban scene, dominated by a sense of atmospheric depth and muted color. Here we see a street receding into the distance, illuminated by artificial light sources that cast a warm glow on the pavement and surrounding structures. The perspective is slightly elevated, allowing for a broad view of the thoroughfare.
The artist employed a loose, impressionistic brushstroke throughout, dissolving forms rather than defining them with sharp lines. This technique contributes to the overall feeling of transience and fleeting perception characteristic of nighttime observation. The palette is largely restricted to greens, yellows, oranges, and browns, creating a somber yet inviting mood. Darker tones are prevalent in the upper portion of the composition, suggesting dense foliage or buildings that obscure the sky.
Along the street, indistinct figures move about – pedestrians engaged in their evening activities. Their presence suggests a sense of everyday life continuing under the cover of darkness. The arrangement of these individuals is not static; they appear to be in motion, contributing to the dynamism of the scene. A few red accents – likely from awnings or shop signs – provide visual contrast against the predominantly cool tones.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of urban modernity and the experience of nighttime. The artificial lighting underscores the transformation of cities into spaces that remain active even after sunset, a phenomenon increasingly common during this period. Theres an element of anonymity present; the figures are not individualized but rather function as representatives of a collective populace. The indistinctness of their features further emphasizes the feeling of being an observer, distanced from the events unfolding before us.
The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation – a moment captured in time, where the vibrancy of urban life is softened by the veil of night and rendered through the artist’s subjective perception.