Scala. 1892 27h16 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The drawing presents a vertical landscape dominated by a rocky precipice. The composition is structured around a central axis formed by the sheer rock face, which occupies most of the frame. A dense canopy of foliage emerges from the upper left corner, partially obscuring the sky and creating a sense of enclosure. To the right, a darker mass suggests another rock formation or perhaps a shadowed overhang, providing contrast to the lighter tones on the left.
The artist employed a technique that emphasizes tonal variation through hatching and cross-hatching. This creates a palpable texture on the stone surfaces, conveying their ruggedness and scale. The play of light and shadow is crucial; it defines the contours of the rock face, suggesting depth and volume. Strong directional lighting from an unseen source illuminates the left side of the composition, casting deep shadows that accentuate the relief of the terrain.
A small, indistinct figure appears near the base of the cliff on the left, offering a sense of scale and hinting at human presence within this imposing natural environment. The inclusion of sparse vegetation – a few sprigs of what appear to be grasses or low-lying plants – at the bottom adds another layer of detail and reinforces the impression of a wild, untamed place.
The drawing’s monochromatic palette contributes to its somber mood and emphasizes the materiality of the subject matter. The absence of color directs attention toward the formal elements – line, tone, texture – and invites contemplation on the power and permanence of nature. There is an underlying sense of solitude and perhaps even a touch of melancholy evoked by this depiction of a remote and imposing landscape.