Shooting Cossack Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (1848-1916)

The drawing presents a man in the act of firing a long-barreled firearm. He is depicted from a three-quarter rear view, emphasizing his posture and the mechanics of aiming. The figures attire suggests a military or paramilitary context; he wears a distinctive hat with a small, upturned brim and a red plume, along with what appears to be a loose jacket or tunic in shades of reddish-brown.
The artist’s use of watercolor lends an immediacy and fluidity to the work. The brushstrokes are visible, contributing to a sense of spontaneity and capturing the dynamism of the action. Color is applied in washes, creating soft transitions and suggesting volume rather than precise detail. The limited palette – primarily reds, browns, and blacks – reinforces a feeling of earthiness and perhaps even austerity.
The man’s focus is entirely directed forward; his brow is furrowed, and his cheek pressed against the stock of the weapon. This intense concentration conveys a sense of purpose and determination. The firearm itself dominates the composition, its length extending diagonally across the frame, drawing the viewers eye along with the line of sight.
Beyond the literal depiction of a man firing a gun, the work seems to explore themes of readiness, vigilance, and perhaps even defense. The figure’s posture suggests not aggression but rather a state of alert preparedness. There is an underlying tension in the image – a moment suspended between action and consequence. The handwritten script visible at the upper right corner adds another layer; it appears as if the artist has included a personal note or annotation, further enriching the works narrative potential.