Russian Art
Polenov, V. D.
"Courtyard in Moscow". 1902
Notes: Courtyard in Moscow
"A Courtyard in Moscow" (1902), one of Polenov's best known paintings, poignantly depicts the visible effects of industrialization in Russia. Polenov actually produced multiple versions of this canvas, one of which shows the courtyard full of inhabitants from the surrounding buildings, children playing, women feeding their chickens, and so on. In the rendering featured in the State Russian collection, Polenov leaves the courtyard open and empty, possibly in an attempt to call special attention to the preciousness of space and light at a time when Moscow was becoming increasingly crowded and urbanized.
