Terrace. Evening at the cottage. 1901 Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

The composition presents a scene unfolding on a terrace at dusk. A table dominates the foreground, laden with fruit and what appears to be glassware or ceramic vessels. The arrangement is somewhat haphazard, suggesting a relaxed, informal atmosphere rather than deliberate display. Light emanates from an unseen source, illuminating portions of the tabletop and casting deep shadows across the rest of the scene.
Three figures are positioned around the table. One individual, clad in vibrant red attire, sits playing a stringed instrument – likely a guitar or lute – their posture suggesting focused concentration. To their right stands another figure, draped in flowing garments with vertical stripes, seemingly observing the musician. A third person is partially obscured by the foliage and the seated musician; they appear to be leaning against the tables edge, their face largely hidden from view.
The background consists of dense vegetation – trees and shrubs – rendered in broad strokes of green and dark hues. The limited depth of field contributes to a sense of enclosure and intimacy. A portion of a building’s exterior is visible on the right side, further defining the setting as an outdoor space attached to a dwelling.
The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – greens, browns, reds – with occasional flashes of brighter colors in the clothing and fruit. The use of impasto, particularly evident on the table surface and in the foliage, adds texture and visual interest.
Subtleties within the work hint at a contemplative mood. The obscured faces of the figures invite speculation about their relationships and inner thoughts. The musician’s absorbed posture suggests a moment of private enjoyment or performance. The overall impression is one of quiet domesticity, tinged with a sense of melancholy or introspection evoked by the fading light and the somewhat muted color scheme. Theres an intentional ambiguity in the scene; it avoids explicit narrative, instead offering a glimpse into a fleeting moment of shared experience.