Oaks. 1855 Alexey Kondratievich Savrasov (1830-1897)
Alexey Kondratievich Savrasov – Oaks. 1855
Edit attribution
Download full size: 793×1000 px (0,2 Mb)
Painter: Alexey Kondratievich Savrasov
Album navigation:
"The Oaks" is one of the earliest works by the famous Russian landscape painter Savrasov, painted a year after graduating from the Moscow Art School. The painting can be considered quite romantic. On the shore of a narrow stream, both banks of which are overgrown with grass, stand two mighty oaks. Their trunks grew side by side, almost touching each other. The crowns are almost indistinguishable, merging into one, twinned, very lush and giving a lot of shade.
ArtClub
Best Contemporary Atists
Description of Alexei Savrasov’s painting The Oaks
"The Oaks" is one of the earliest works by the famous Russian landscape painter Savrasov, painted a year after graduating from the Moscow Art School.
The painting can be considered quite romantic. On the shore of a narrow stream, both banks of which are overgrown with grass, stand two mighty oaks. Their trunks grew side by side, almost touching each other. The crowns are almost indistinguishable, merging into one, twinned, very lush and giving a lot of shade. A small path leads past the oaks, along the river bank, in the direction of the forest.
In this painting we can already trace the traditional Savrasov motifs: the forest, the saturation of colors, which creates the impression of presence. No, all the colors of the rainbow are not in the picture. The crown, bushes, grass - everything is done in dark green tones. But in different ways. It all blends beautifully with the black trunks and the light sky, almost completely free of clouds.
With the exception of a path leading deep into the forest, there are no traces of human or animal presence in the painting. This is a characteristic feature of many later paintings by the artist. The path is well treaded and you can see that people often walk along it.
The space in Savrasov’s painting is limited by the forest spread along the banks of the stream. But more than half of the painting is occupied by the sky, which is light blue with small cloud cover, partly covered by the twin tops of the oaks.
The portrayal of the oak trees is a special feature in Savrasov’s art. Few people have managed to convey so realistically the mighty stature, majesty, unhurriedness in the midst of lesser counterparts. In particular, the same contiguous oaks with twin tops can be seen in the mid-50s painting "Summer Landscape with Oaks."
Painted in oil on canvas. It is kept in the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.
You cannot comment Why?
Below the tree, a body of water – likely a river or pond – reflects the sky above, blurring the distinction between earth and atmosphere. A narrow strip of land borders the waters edge, populated with low vegetation rendered in muted greens and browns. In the distance, a hazy horizon line suggests an expansive vista beyond the immediate foreground.
The light source appears to be positioned slightly behind and to the left of the tree, illuminating its upper branches while casting deep shadows on its trunk and lower foliage. The sky is filled with billowing cumulus clouds, their forms rendered with loose brushstrokes that convey a sense of movement and atmospheric depth. The color palette is restrained, primarily consisting of greens, browns, grays, and blues, contributing to the overall mood of quiet contemplation.
The painting evokes a feeling of solitude and timelessness. The sheer size of the oak suggests resilience and longevity, while its placement within this tranquil setting implies a connection to nature’s enduring cycles. There is an absence of human presence; the scene feels untouched by civilization, fostering a sense of peaceful isolation.
Subtly, the work hints at themes of strength and vulnerability. The trees imposing stature contrasts with the fragility of the clouds and the reflective surface of the water. This interplay suggests a delicate balance between power and impermanence, inviting reflection on the passage of time and the enduring beauty of the natural world.