Autumn. 1917 Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

In this impressionistic painting titled Autumn. 1917, the viewer is invited into a sun-dappled scene characteristic of the fall season. The foreground is dominated by a path or ground covered in fallen leaves, rendered in a mosaic of yellows, oranges, and browns, suggesting the crunchy texture and vibrant hues of autumn. The dappled sunlight creates a lively interplay of light and shadow across this surface.

To the left, lush foliage bursts forth with a riot of color, featuring bright red leaves that stand out against a backdrop of greens, purples, and whites. This section feels dense and alive, with individual brushstrokes contributing to the overall impression of texture and movement.

In the mid-ground, a small, rustic building, possibly a house or shed, is nestled among trees. Its simple, angular form is rendered in muted tones, providing a stable counterpoint to the organic fluidity of the surrounding nature. The building appears somewhat weathered, adding to the rustic charm of the scene.

The background opens up to a soft, hazy blue sky, interspersed with the lighter greens and blues of distant trees and foliage. This creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, with the light filtering through the leaves.

The painting captures a fleeting moment in nature, emphasizing the sensory experience of autumn. The loose brushwork and vibrant color palette are hallmarks of Impressionism, aiming to convey the artists immediate visual impression rather than precise detail.

The subtexts within Autumn. 1917 can be interpreted in several ways:

• The Cycle of Life and Nature: Autumn is often associated with the winding down of the year, a period of beauty before dormancy. The vibrant colors can be seen as a celebration of lifes richness even as it prepares for change. The presence of the fallen leaves signifies decay and renewal, a fundamental aspect of natures cyclical process.
• Tranquility and Solitude: The scene evokes a sense of peacefulness. The solitary building and the natural, somewhat wild landscape suggest a retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life, inviting contemplation. The presence of two figures, subtly suggested in the lower left, adds a human element but doesnt detract from the overall feeling of quietude; they appear to be resting or observing the scene, blending into their surroundings.
• The Passage of Time: The year 1917 was a tumultuous period in history, marked by World War I. While the painting itself is serene, its creation during such a time might implicitly suggest a desire for peace, a connection to enduring natural beauty as a refuge from worldly conflict, or a reflection on the passage of time in a broader sense. The autumnal theme, with its connotations of maturity and endings, could subtly echo the broader societal mood or personal reflections on the era.
• The Artists Sensory Experience: Impressionisms core aim was to capture the subjective, sensory experience of a moment. The painting is less about what is depicted and more about how it is perceived – the way light falls, the colors blend, and the atmosphere feels. Thus, a subtext is the artists personal, visceral engagement with the beauty of an autumn day.