In 1921, Petrov-Vodkin was invited to participate in a scientific expedition sent to Samarkand for a survey of architectural and historical monuments of the ancient city. "I covered the thirst of work. I am full of paints and canvases "- wrote of the way the artist.
In Samarkand, Petrov-Vodkin lived for about four months, fifteen landscapes, still lifes, portraits, paintings and graphic designs. His impressions of his stay in Central Asia, the artist described in the essay "Samarkand".
The book is now considered an excellent source of information on living conditions, local traditions and customs of Samarkand. Illustrations for her were the best graphics of the wizard.
  Creating beautiful landscapes, the artist invites us to wonder eternal miracle - nature. Its amazing sky, the sun, the unforgettable dome Shahi Zinda, which he moves with astonishing skill on the panel: "My first exclamation of my friends on the dome of Shahi Zinda was:" Why, water! ". This spell turquoise ardor of the desert! In ugadanii this color in a mosaic and majolica is kolorichesky genius of the East ".

East period of creativity KS Petrov-Vodkin was short on time, but the impression received by the artist from the ancient land of Samarkand, enabled him to later create true masterpieces of art.