Cloudy Day 23. 7h36, 6 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The painting depicts a vast, expansive landscape under a dramatic, cloudy sky. The foreground is dominated by rolling green fields, with a hint of a building on the left and a winding path disappearing into the distance. A line of dark green trees forms a dense horizon, separating the fields from the sky. In the middle ground, several cows are grazing in a pale yellow field, adding a touch of life and scale to the scene.
The sky is the most striking element, filled with large, billowing clouds that are rendered with broad, energetic brushstrokes. The clouds are a mixture of white, soft yellow, and shades of blue, suggesting a dynamic play of light and shadow. The title Cloudy Day 23. 7h36, 6 suggests a specific time and date for this atmospheric observation, emphasizing the artists focus on capturing a fleeting moment in nature.
The subtext of the painting lies in its evocation of the sublime and the fleeting nature of time and weather. The immensity of the sky and the dramatic cloud formations create a sense of awe and power, while the pastoral scene below offers a contrast of tranquility and everyday life. The painting captures the beauty of a specific, transient moment – the interplay of light, clouds, and landscape. It can be interpreted as a meditation on the vastness of nature and humanitys place within it, or simply as an appreciation for the ever-changing beauty of a cloudy day.