Happiness

The bronze equestrian monument to Peter the Great rises on its granite pedestal at left, the rider's arm outstretched toward the distance. Behind it, fresh green spring foliage screens a row of trees with St. Isaac's golden dome visible above them, while a paved square in the foreground is crossed by scattered pedestrians, including a woman in a white dress with a small group beside her.

Loose dabs of green, violet and grey build the foliage and pavement, while the statue is picked out in cool bronze-green tones against the pale sky. Quick, sketchy strokes render the figures without fine detail, and the bright, even daylight gives the scene a lively, everyday public-square atmosphere.