Autumn Landscape (1910s) Nikolay Feshin (1881-1955)

The canvas presents a scene dominated by autumnal hues – ochre, russet, and gold – creating a palpable sense of seasonal transition. Here we see a densely wooded area, with tall tree trunks rising vertically from the foreground, their forms rendered through thick impasto strokes that emphasize texture and physicality. The trees are not sharply defined; instead, they merge into one another, contributing to an overall impression of enclosure and depth.
The ground plane is suggested rather than precisely delineated. Patches of varying color – from deep browns to lighter yellows – indicate a terrain covered in fallen leaves and decaying vegetation. A sense of distance is established through the gradual fading of colors towards the background, where hints of blue suggest an overcast sky or perhaps a distant body of water.
The artist’s application of paint appears spontaneous and expressive. Brushstrokes are visible throughout, conveying a feeling of immediacy and capturing the fleeting qualities of light and atmosphere. The lack of precise detail encourages a subjective interpretation; the viewer is invited to complete the scene with their own imagination.
Subtly embedded within this visual representation of nature lies an exploration of impermanence. The autumnal setting inherently signifies decay and decline, prompting reflection on cycles of life and death. The dense composition and muted palette evoke a mood of introspection and quiet contemplation. It is possible to interpret the work as a meditation on the passage of time and the beauty found within moments of transition. The absence of human presence further reinforces this sense of solitude and invites an intimate connection with the natural world.