Last rays of the sun. Aspen wood. 1897 Isaac Ilyich Levitan (1860-1900)

The painting depicts a dense forest of aspen trees bathed in the warm, golden light of the setting sun. Tall, slender trees with reddish-brown bark dominate the scene, their leaves forming a canopy above a thick undergrowth of green foliage. The sunlight filters through the branches, casting long shadows and illuminating patches of the forest floor with a rich, warm glow. The sky, visible through the trees, is a pale, almost white expanse, suggesting the final moments of daylight.
The subtext of this painting centers on the ephemeral beauty of nature and the profound emotional impact of light. The last rays of the sun symbolize transition, the end of a day, and perhaps a sense of farewell. The vibrant oranges and reds of the light against the greens and browns of the forest create a dramatic contrast, evoking a feeling of both beauty and melancholy. The stillness and quietude of the scene invite contemplation on the passage of time and the fleeting nature of moments. The dense arrangement of trees can also suggest a sense of enclosure or immersion within nature, a space for introspection and a connection to the natural world at its most serene and majestic.