uprooted stumps under the snow, the 1890 paper. charcoal, chalk 23, 8h31. 1 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

Here we observe a scene dominated by the stark presence of uprooted tree stumps, partially obscured by snow. The composition is structured around these remnants of trees, their exposed roots and broken branches creating a complex network of lines that draw the eye across the surface. A monochromatic palette, achieved through charcoal and chalk, reinforces the somber mood and emphasizes the textures inherent in both the wood and the snow.
The artist employed varying degrees of pressure with the charcoal to delineate form; darker tones suggest areas of shadow and depth within the stumps, while lighter strokes indicate the texture of the snow clinging to their surfaces. The chalk contributes a softness that blurs the edges of some forms, creating an atmospheric effect which suggests distance and perhaps even a sense of melancholy.
The background is indistinct, rendered in muted tones that allow the stumps to remain the focal point. Hints of what might be other trees or landscape elements are visible through the snow-laden foreground, but they lack definition, contributing to a feeling of isolation and vastness. The overall effect is one of quiet devastation; the scene speaks to an intervention – likely human – that has disrupted the natural order.
Subtexts within this work revolve around themes of loss, destruction, and the passage of time. The uprooted stumps symbolize not only physical removal but also a disruption of life cycles and ecological balance. The snow, while visually softening the scene, simultaneously underscores the harshness of the environment and the vulnerability of what remains. There is an implicit narrative here – one that suggests a landscape scarred by human activity, left to endure in a state of quiet ruin. The absence of any figures or signs of current life amplifies this sense of abandonment and invites contemplation on the consequences of environmental impact.