burdock. 1878 23h32 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The drawing presents a close-up study of burdock plants dominating the foreground. The artist has chosen a low vantage point, emphasizing their size and density. A roughly rendered fence runs horizontally across the middle ground, providing a sense of depth while remaining secondary to the central subject matter. Behind the fence, a tree trunk is visible, its form sketched with similar energetic lines as the burdock itself.
The artist’s technique is characterized by rapid, expressive strokes that capture the texture and vitality of the plants. The leaves are not rendered with precise detail but rather suggested through a network of intersecting lines, creating an impression of layered foliage. Shadows are indicated with dense hatching, contributing to the overall sense of volume and three-dimensionality.
The composition is asymmetrical; the burdock cluster occupies most of the frame, pushing the tree trunk towards the left side. This imbalance contributes to a feeling of natural abundance and untamed growth. The artist’s signature and date are inscribed in Cyrillic script at the lower right corner, integrated into the drawings visual field rather than appearing as an afterthought.
Beyond a straightforward botanical study, the work seems to explore themes of resilience and persistence. Burdock is known for its ability to thrive in challenging environments; here we see it depicted with a vigorous energy that suggests a similar tenacity. The rough handling of the medium conveys a sense of immediacy and direct observation, as if the artist sought to capture the essence of these plants without embellishment. Theres an underlying feeling of quiet contemplation – a focus on the overlooked details of the natural world, suggesting a reverence for the commonplace.