Etude. 1885 21h12, 2 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The drawing presents a dense cluster of trees, rendered in a style characterized by rapid, energetic lines and cross-hatching. The artist has focused on capturing the textural complexity of bark and foliage rather than precise botanical accuracy. Here we see several tree trunks dominating the composition; they are thick, gnarled, and appear to be deeply rooted within the earth. Their forms intertwine, creating a sense of enclosure and visual weight.
The foliage is not depicted as individual leaves but as masses of scribbled lines that suggest density and opacity. Light appears to filter through this canopy, creating areas of relative brightness amidst the overall darkness. The ground plane is suggested with minimal detail, appearing as a shadowed area beneath the trees. A small, indistinct structure – perhaps a shed or outbuilding – is nestled among the trunks near the center foreground, adding a subtle human element to the otherwise natural scene.
The artist’s use of line and tone conveys a feeling of immediacy and spontaneity. The drawing seems less concerned with creating an idealized representation of nature and more interested in capturing its raw, untamed essence. The rapid execution lends a sense of urgency and perhaps even anxiety to the work.
Subtly, the composition evokes themes of confinement and introspection. The dense trees create a visual barrier, suggesting a space that is both protective and isolating. The small structure hints at human presence but remains obscured within the natural environment, implying a relationship between humanity and nature that is complex and perhaps uneasy. The date inscribed in the lower left corner – u. M. 85 – suggests this work might be an exploratory study or preliminary sketch for a larger project, reinforcing the impression of a fleeting moment captured on paper.