Murman coast (Pomorskie crosses). 1900 Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

The composition presents a coastal landscape dominated by rugged terrain and a body of water receding into the distance. The foreground is characterized by a jumble of rocks, rendered in earthy tones – ochre, brown, and muted orange – that suggest both solidity and erosion. These forms are loosely defined, with visible brushstrokes contributing to a sense of immediacy and textural complexity.
The middle ground features a stretch of water, its surface reflecting the sky above, which appears overcast or hazy. The color palette here shifts towards cooler blues and grays, creating a visual separation from the warmer tones of the foreground rocks. Across this expanse rises a promontory or cliff face, similarly constructed from layered rock formations.
Perched atop this elevated landmass are several crosses, silhouetted against the sky. Their presence introduces an element of human intervention and spiritual significance into the otherwise naturalistic scene. The crosses are small in scale relative to the landscape, emphasizing their symbolic rather than literal importance. They appear as markers within a vast and somewhat desolate environment.
The artist’s use of color is restrained, relying on subtle variations within a limited range to convey depth and atmosphere. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation and a sense of remoteness. The painting evokes the harshness and beauty of a northern landscape, hinting at themes of faith, resilience, and humanitys relationship with nature. The deliberate lack of detail in the background contributes to an impression of vastness and isolation, while the rough application of paint suggests a focus on capturing the essence of the scene rather than precise representation.