Twilight 1883 118h75 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

Description of Ivan Shishkin’s painting "Twilight"

The trees in Ivan Shishkin’s paintings are particularly majestic and monumental. Through them the famous artist, a master of forest landscapes, conveys all the grandeur of the forest. In this respect the painting "Twilight" is no exception. Moreover, the forest depicted in the twilight makes it more mysterious and enigmatic, as it should be in principle.

In this painting Shishkin did not change his style. He only perfected the image he gives to his landscapes. Romantic image of the forest at dusk became more expressive. Here he also managed to keep the unity in tonality.

The wet and damp trail leads from the pine forest (Shishkin’s landscapes are dominated by mighty, strong and monumental oak and pine) to the forest edge. The yellow horizon in the distance, which fades into the transparent summer blue sky. In general, Shishkin has a lot of fundamentality and constancy, and the forest in most cases is presented in summer bloom.

Natural and detailed portrayal of the soil gives off moisture, which can be felt visually thanks to the artist’s skill.

The painting "Twilight" is characterized by the depth of "absorption by nature". From the forest and its outskirts to the horizon at dusk there is one alluring depth that is a little frightening, but overall inspiring. The large space that opens with a gap between the trees is holistic. Twilight is not just on the horizon. Reflection of their yellow-red color and in the foreground - in the water on the ground of the forest. In the foreground, thanks to the light hand of the author, you can also feel the scattered light characteristic of twilight. This incomplete illumination is the basis of Shishkin’s romantic portrayal of the forest at dusk.

To portray the forest in this way, you need to know and love it. Perhaps this was the secret of inspiration of the great Russian landscape painter.