Swiss landscape with horses. Not later than 1867 Alexey Kondratievich Savrasov (1830-1897)

The canvas presents a pastoral scene, dominated by a sprawling grove of trees that occupy much of the left side and central foreground. These trees are rendered with dense foliage, their dark green mass contrasting sharply with the lighter tones of the landscape beyond. A small group of horses grazes peacefully near the base of the trees, adding to the sense of tranquility and rural life.
A meandering stream cuts across the lower portion of the composition, reflecting the sky and surrounding vegetation in its surface. The water’s edge is lined with reeds and grasses, painted with a textured brushstroke that suggests dampness and natural growth. A narrow path leads away from the viewer along the bank, disappearing into the distance.
In the middle ground, an expansive meadow stretches towards distant mountains. These peaks are rendered in muted blues and grays, suggesting considerable atmospheric perspective and emphasizing their remote presence. The sky above is filled with billowing clouds, painted with a loose, expressive style that conveys movement and depth. Patches of sunlight break through the cloud cover, illuminating sections of the landscape below.
The artist’s use of light and shadow creates a palpable sense of atmosphere. The darker tones of the trees and foreground are balanced by the brighter hues of the meadow and sky, generating visual interest and drawing the eye across the scene.
Subtly, the painting evokes themes of harmony between humanity and nature. The presence of livestock suggests a working landscape, but one that is also imbued with a sense of peace and serenity. The distant mountains symbolize both grandeur and remoteness, hinting at the vastness of the natural world beyond the immediate setting. The composition’s horizontal format reinforces this feeling of expansiveness and stability, inviting contemplation of the scenes quiet beauty.