Mikhail Nesterov worked prolifically in Sergiev Posad in the summer of 1888. The quiet pace of life of the nearby Monastery of the Trinity made a particularly strong impression on the passionate and impulsive artist. It was there that he painted his studies for Hermit — the first work to bring him popular success. This tranquil and poetic work reflects Nesterov’s slightly pantheistic disposition. The artist believed that only by dissolving oneself in the surrounding nature could one achieve harmony. Nesterov also addressed the motif of pilgrimage and the search for the right path in life. Previously only the subjects of Russian classical literature, spiritual quests were a popular theme in other realms of creativity at the turn of the century, including philosophy and fine art. Russian Museum: From Icons to the Modern Times. Palace Editions, St Petersburg, 2015. P. 249.