Landscape. 1917 Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

The canvas presents a rural scene dominated by lush greenery and water. A dense thicket of trees occupies the upper portion of the composition, their foliage rendered in varied shades of green, punctuated with touches of blue and white suggesting sunlight filtering through the leaves. Below this, a body of water stretches into the distance, its surface reflecting the sky above. The water’s edge is defined by a grassy bank, vibrant with emerald tones.
A small boat, positioned prominently on the right side of the painting, draws immediate attention. A figure clad in red stands within it, seemingly engaged in some task related to the waterway. Beside the boat lies an overturned wicker basket, its contents scattered across the grass – a detail that introduces a note of disarray or interruption into the otherwise tranquil setting.
The artist’s brushwork is loose and expressive; forms are suggested rather than precisely delineated. This technique contributes to a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, as if capturing a fleeting moment in time. The color palette is predominantly green and blue, evoking feelings of serenity and natural abundance. However, the inclusion of red – the figures clothing – provides a visual contrast that prevents the scene from becoming overly passive or monotonous.
Beyond the literal depiction of a landscape, the painting hints at themes of labor and connection to nature. The presence of the boat and the figure suggests human interaction with the environment, while the scattered basket might allude to the challenges or disruptions inherent in such engagement. Theres an underlying sense of quiet observation; the scene is not overtly dramatic but rather invites contemplation on the rhythms of rural life and the relationship between humanity and the natural world. The overall impression is one of a peaceful yet subtly complex portrayal of a commonplace landscape.