Aspen on the way to Kivach. 1889 48, 1h32. 4 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The drawing presents a woodland scene, executed in pencil with evident spontaneity and a focus on capturing immediate observation. Here we see a path receding into depth, flanked by tall trees – likely aspens given the context – their trunks rendered with energetic, almost frantic lines that suggest both their verticality and the texture of their bark. The foliage is less precisely defined; it appears as a dense network of scribbled marks, conveying volume rather than individual leaves.
The artist employed a technique of layered hatching to create tonal variation, particularly noticeable in the depiction of the trees’ trunks and the suggestion of light filtering through the canopy. This contributes to a sense of atmospheric perspective, where objects further away appear lighter and less distinct. The composition is dominated by verticality – the towering trees – but this is counterbalanced by the diagonal thrust of the path, which draws the viewers eye into the scene’s interior.
A small figure appears on the path, seemingly a traveler or wanderer, adding a human element to the otherwise naturalistic depiction. The scale difference between the figure and the trees emphasizes the vastness and power of the landscape.
The inscription at the bottom provides clues about the location – a route towards Kivach – and the date (1889). This contextual information suggests that the drawing might be a preparatory study for a larger work, or perhaps an independent record of a specific place and moment in time. The sketch’s unfinished quality lends it a sense of immediacy and authenticity; it feels less like a polished artwork and more like a direct transcription of visual experience.
Subtly, theres a feeling of solitude conveyed by the scene. The lone figure on the path, combined with the density of the trees, creates an impression of isolation within nature. It’s not necessarily a negative sentiment; rather, it evokes a sense of quiet contemplation and connection to the natural world.