hunters in camp. 1877. Copyright. repetition. Oil on canvas. 58h89 RM Vasily Perov (1833-1882)

In this oil painting, Hunters in Camp from 1877, three men are depicted resting amidst a natural, autumnal landscape. The foreground is dominated by dry grass, dead reeds, and the spoils of a hunt: two dead birds and a rabbit, along with scattered hunting rifles and equipment.
The three men are positioned in a way that suggests a lull in their activity. On the left, a bearded man in a dark coat and tall boots is gesturing with his hands, seemingly in mid-conversation, his expression animated. In the center, another man, dressed in darker clothing and a hat, reclines, looking up with a wide, somewhat disheveled grin, his hat askew and one hand scratching his head. To the right, a third man, wearing a cap and a red-brown coat with a sash, sits upright, holding a cigarette and looking thoughtfully towards the left. A fourth, less distinct figure, possibly a dog or a sheep, is visible grazing in the background to the far left. The background opens up to a flat, hazy expanse of wetlands or fields, under a pale, overcast sky with a few distant birds.
The subtext of the painting appears to revolve around themes of camaraderie, relaxation after exertion, and the satisfaction of a successful hunt. The varied postures and expressions of the men suggest a dynamic of interaction – perhaps storytelling, boasting, or simply comfortable companionship. The scattered game and equipment firmly ground the scene in the context of hunting. The tranquil yet somewhat somber landscape, with its muted colors, hints at the cyclical nature of seasons and perhaps the solitary contemplation that can accompany such pursuits. The painting captures a moment of respite, a pause in the action that allows for social interaction and reflection within the rugged environment associated with hunting.