On the lake (Tver region). 1893

Description of Isaac Levitan’s painting On the Lake

The painting was painted in oil on canvas in 1893 while Levitan was in Tver. It is now in the Moscow Tretyakov Gallery. It was at this time that Levitan becomes fascinated by the pastel technique of painting, through which he manages to express the entire color range of most shades of light, giving depth and airiness to the subjects of the image. This subject Levitan was interested in the beginning of 1890, this is not the most successful of his works. But in this picture clearly shows the mood - the silence and peace, the bliss of nature, which can be seen in the lake and in the cloud-covered sky.

The sunset is approaching and everything is a little pink in its rays. On the steep bank there are herringbones that seem to rest their tops against the sky. Next to them are wooden dwellings, this is a small fishing village with its own identity and charters, a quiet and measured life. People have probably returned with their catch and are resting, as the nets are hung out and flapping in the wind to dry.

Upturned boats doze off unpretentiously, tucking their pointed noses into the grass. One silence and peace, in which even the wind seems to lurk, and only a lonely reed rustles its leaves. The blue of the sky in the clouds reflects on the surface of the lake. The air is clear, clean and fresh. The picture provides the viewer with positive and serene emotions, that immediately becomes calm and good in the soul.

The slope seems to be in shadow, which foreshadows the evening and the coming of darkness. The shadow covers the firs and bushes growing along the shore. The whole picture shows the majestic and tranquil beauty of nature. The predominance of cooler and calmer tones of colors, conveys to the viewer all the freshness of the cold evening.