At Little Neva. 1886 24h17, 5 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The drawing presents a tranquil riverine scene, dominated by a vast expanse of water under a dramatic sky. The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing the height and breadth of the atmospheric conditions above the landscape. A sailing vessel occupies the central portion of the view, positioned slightly off-center, its masts reaching towards the turbulent cloud formations.
The artist employed a technique that suggests etching or engraving; fine lines are used to build up tonal variations and create texture. The foreground is characterized by dense foliage along the riverbank, rendered with meticulous detail in cross-hatching. This creates a sense of depth and establishes a visual barrier between the viewer and the water.
The middle ground features the calm surface of the river, reflecting the sky above. The reflections are not exact duplicates but rather distorted versions, contributing to the overall atmospheric effect. Distant landmasses are visible on either side of the river, their forms softened by distance and rendered with less detail than the foreground elements.
The sky is a significant element in this drawing. It’s filled with billowing clouds that appear both ominous and majestic. The artist used varying line densities to suggest light and shadow within the cloud formations, creating a dynamic interplay of tones. This contrasts with the relative stillness of the water below.
Subtly, theres an impression of solitude and quiet contemplation evoked by the scene. The presence of the sailing vessel suggests human activity but it is distanced and integrated into the natural environment rather than dominating it. The overall effect is one of a moment captured in time – a fleeting glimpse of nature’s power and beauty. The inscription at the bottom, though illegible without closer inspection, hints at a specific location and date, grounding the scene within a particular context.