View of Krasnoyarsk from the hills Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (1848-1916)

The canvas presents a panoramic vista dominated by a wide river winding through a landscape of rolling hills and a nascent settlement. The viewpoint is elevated, suggesting observation from a significant height – likely a hillside or bluff overlooking the scene. A dense thicket of foliage occupies the immediate foreground, its autumnal hues of yellow and orange contrasting with the cooler tones that permeate the rest of the composition.
The river itself is rendered in broad strokes of blue-grey, reflecting the overcast sky above. Its surface appears calm, contributing to a sense of stillness and vastness. Across the river, a cluster of buildings forms a small town or settlement; these structures are depicted with muted colors, blending into the overall atmospheric haze. The artist has not focused on individual architectural details, instead prioritizing the impression of an expanding community nestled within the natural environment.
The color palette is restrained and predominantly cool – blues, greys, greens, and browns – with touches of warmer tones in the foreground foliage. This limited range contributes to a melancholic mood, evoking a sense of distance and perhaps even solitude. The application of paint appears loose and impressionistic; brushstrokes are visible throughout, creating texture and movement within the scene.
Beyond the immediate settlement, the landscape recedes into a hazy horizon line, where earth and sky seem to merge indistinctly. This atmospheric perspective diminishes detail and reinforces the feeling of immense scale. There is an underlying tension between the burgeoning human presence – represented by the town – and the overwhelming power of the natural world. The painting seems to contemplate themes of settlement, expansion, and humanitys relationship with its surroundings, hinting at a narrative of progress unfolding within a vast and timeless landscape.