Who painted Winter city?

Winter city was painted by Apollinary Vasnetsov in 1925.

Where can I see Winter city?

Winter city is held by Tretyakov Gallery.

What movement is Winter city?

Winter city is associated with Art Nouveau.

Can I buy a print of Winter city?

Museum-quality prints of Winter city are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Winter city

Apollinary Vasnetsov , 1925

Winter city is an unspecified painting by the Art Nouveau artist Apollinary Vasnetsov. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1925, Winter city presents a snow‑laden urban scene rendered in subdued earth tones. The composition centers on a quiet streetscape where brown and gray façades are punctuated by occasional red rooftops, while low chimneys rise from the snow‑covered roofs in the foreground. The overall atmosphere is one of stillness, the muted palette reinforcing the calm of a Russian winter.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a generic city rather than a specific locale, focusing on the interplay of architecture and snow. By emphasizing the uniformity of the built environment under a blanket of white, the painting invites contemplation of urban life’s quiet endurance during harsh weather, suggesting a serene resilience rather than narrative drama.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the piece reflects the lingering influence of Art Nouveau through its elegant, flowing lines and decorative treatment of architectural details. Vasnetsov’s brushwork balances precise rendering of structural forms with softer, blended passages that convey the texture of snow, while the restrained colour scheme enhances the atmospheric effect.

History & Provenance

Apollinary Vasnetsov, a self‑taught Russian painter, produced the canvas during the later phase of his career, after years of study with his brother Viktor and exposure to European art during a 1898–99 tour. The painting entered the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of early 20th‑century Russian art.

Context

Winter city belongs to Vasnetsov’s series of genre scenes that often explored historic Moscow, yet this work departs by portraying a contemporary winter landscape. The piece aligns with the broader Russian interest in capturing seasonal moods and the everyday environment, a theme shared by contemporaries who sought to document the nation’s changing urban spaces during the post‑revolutionary period.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Apollinary Vasnetsov

Apollinary Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov (Russian: Аполлина́рий Миха́йлович Васнецо́в; 6 August 1856 – 23 January 1933) was a Russian painter and graphic artist.