The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
The Arch of the General Headquarters Building in St. Petersburg, which was created in 1830 by the famous Russian master of topographical watercolor, Vasily Sadovnikov, provides an interesting view of one of the most famous architectural landmarks of Imperial St. Petersburg. This watercolor on paper showcases Sadovnikov's great competence in linear perspective, architectural design and establishment of the light.
The artwork concentrates on the grandiose Triumphal Arch, designed by Carlo Rossi, which unites the two symmetrical wings of the General Headquarters Building. Sadovnikov places the observer in a shady archway and requires him to look out to the bright courtyard and Palace Square.
Apart from its strictly accurate architectural quality, this painting also acts as a crucial visual record of 19th-century urban life in Russia. Sadovnikov depicts a wealth of characters in the foreground and centre of the composition; old-fashioned people, soldiers in uniform and pedestrians are all presented in their hustling and bustling manner.
Sadovnikov’s genius lies in the skillful use of brushstroke and a delicately chosen color scheme consisting of warm stone hues and soft shades of blue. The artist accordingly adds richness and volume to the stone structures and reliefs depicted. Abandoning mere mapping of the architectural beauty of St. Petersburg, Sadovnikov combines it with everyday life of its citizens.
The painting is an excellent example of realism which depicts the General Headquarters Building (Neoclassic architecture) in its authentic form and showcases the ordinary and daily movements of the people at the time. The viewer's attention is drawn to the Alexander Column and the Winter Palace in the distance by the artist's enormous triumphal arch that frames the picture. The contrast between the brightly illuminated square and the shadowed foreground improves the impression of space, while strong linear perspective and the repetition of arches produce striking depth. The muted color scheme of beige, grey, and light blue adds to the serene and calm ambiance. Pedestrians and a horse-drawn carriage are examples of small characters that bring life to the street and highlight the enormous grandeur of the nearby structures.
