The Pool 2. 1891 Isaac Ilyich Levitan (1860-1900)

Here we observe a landscape dominated by water and dense foliage. The composition is structured around a body of still water, likely a pond or small lake, which occupies a significant portion of the canvas. A man-made structure – seemingly a low dam or weir – cuts across the middle ground, its wooden planks angled diagonally towards the viewer. This construction creates a visual division within the scene and introduces an element of human intervention into the natural environment.
The artist employed a loose, impressionistic brushstroke throughout. The water’s surface is rendered with short, broken strokes that suggest both movement and reflection. Light dances across the waters plane, creating shimmering highlights and darker shadows which contribute to a sense of depth. The surrounding vegetation – a thick band of trees and shrubs – is similarly depicted through rapid, textured application of paint. A range of greens, from deep emerald to pale yellow-green, are used to convey the density and variety of the foliage.
The sky is visible as a muted expanse above the treeline, its color blending seamlessly with the lighter tones within the foliage. This creates an atmospheric perspective, suggesting distance and softening the overall visual impact. The reflections in the water mirror the structure and surrounding trees, albeit with a slightly distorted quality that emphasizes the fluidity of the scene.
Subtly, the painting explores the relationship between nature and human activity. While the landscape appears tranquil and serene, the presence of the dam introduces an element of control or manipulation. It suggests a deliberate alteration of the natural order, perhaps for practical purposes like irrigation or water management. The artist does not overtly judge this intervention; rather, he presents it as a fact of the environment.
The overall mood is one of quiet contemplation and observation. Theres a sense of stillness and solitude, inviting the viewer to pause and consider the interplay between light, water, vegetation, and human presence within this secluded locale. The lack of figures or any clear narrative focus directs attention towards the formal elements – color, texture, and composition – and encourages an appreciation for the beauty of the natural world, even when touched by human hands.