The medieval Russian city of Pskov was among Gorbatov’s most beloved subjects, with over thirty works known to depict its picturesque sights and corners. The present composition shows the Trinity Cathedral, part of the Pskov Kremlin, as seen from the river Pskova (fig.1). The dramatic vista highlights the city’s importance as a historical point of defence and Gorbatov’s passion for ancient Russian architecture, to which he dedicated most of his oeuvre.

The scene depicts late winter or early spring, with the river no longer covered in ice. Gorbatov’s mastery as a colourist comes to the fore in this composition, with vibrant spots of blue, red and turquoise interspersing the dramatic white of the snow and the dark grey of the water and the trees which dominate the composition. The deep blue hues the artist used for the snow on the roofs and the ground beautifully convey the atmosphere of twilight, the city slowly quietening down as the day draws to a close.

Winter scenes of ancient Russian towns are among the most collects able in the artist’s body of work. His View of Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra from 1923 sold for 421,000 USD at Replica Shoes ’s New York in April 2008 (fig.2).