Oak shattered by lightning. Allegory on the death of the artist’s wife Maxim Vorobiev (1787-1855)

The composition presents a monumental oak tree as its central figure, dramatically split by a bolt of lightning. The artist positioned the tree against a turbulent sky, dominated by dark, swirling clouds and punctuated by flashes of light. A stark contrast exists between the deep shadows enveloping much of the scene and the intense illumination emanating from the lightning strike and a diffused source behind the storm clouds.
The oak itself is rendered with considerable detail; its branches are gnarled and heavy, some broken off entirely by the force of the lightning. The foliage appears dense yet distressed, suggesting both vitality and vulnerability. A sense of movement pervades the image – the tree seems to bend under the impact, while the clouds churn in a visible vortex.
The subtexts within this work are deeply rooted in allegory. The oak, traditionally symbolizing strength, longevity, and resilience, is depicted as being violently undermined. This suggests a disruption of established order or an abrupt loss of something valued. The lightning bolt acts not merely as a destructive force but also as a sudden, unavoidable event – a catastrophic intrusion into the natural world.
The interplay of light and shadow contributes significantly to the painting’s emotional weight. While the lightning illuminates the trees devastation, it simultaneously casts much of the scene in darkness, implying that even amidst moments of intense revelation or clarity, profound sorrow and uncertainty remain. The diffused glow behind the storm clouds could be interpreted as a faint hope or remembrance, struggling against the overwhelming gloom.
The artist’s choice to portray such a powerful natural element – a lightning strike – as the agent of destruction implies an uncontrollable force at play, something beyond human agency or comprehension. This lends the work a sense of tragic inevitability and profound emotional depth.