summer in the field (shepherd with a herd). The first half of 1860 28, 4h42, 9 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The artwork presents a pastoral scene dominated by a sense of impending weather and quiet repose. Here we observe a field stretching towards a distant horizon, delineated by a simple wooden fence that runs along its left edge. The ground is uneven, marked with ruts suggesting previous passage or the natural undulation of the land. A dirt path cuts through the foreground, leading toward a cluster of figures in the middle distance.
A shepherd lies prone on the ground near the lower left corner, his posture relaxed and seemingly undisturbed by the approaching storm. A dog rests close to him, mirroring his stillness. This pairing suggests a deep connection between human and animal, a symbiotic relationship inherent to rural life. The shepherd’s recumbent position could be interpreted as exhaustion after labor or perhaps a moment of peaceful contemplation within the landscape.
A herd of cattle occupies the central portion of the composition. They are depicted in various states of rest, some lying down while others stand grazing. Their bulk and stillness contribute to the overall atmosphere of tranquility, yet their presence also hints at vulnerability – they are exposed to the elements and reliant on the shepherd’s care.
The sky commands considerable attention; it is filled with dramatic cloud formations that suggest an imminent storm. The artist employed a meticulous hatching technique to render the clouds, creating a palpable sense of depth and movement. This darkening sky introduces a note of tension into the otherwise serene scene, suggesting the cyclical nature of rural life – periods of calm punctuated by hardship.
The figures in the middle distance are indistinct, their forms blurred by distance and atmospheric perspective. They appear to be tending to the herd or simply observing the landscape. Their anonymity reinforces the sense that this is a timeless depiction of rural existence.
Subtly, the work explores themes of labor, rest, and the relationship between humanity and nature. The contrast between the shepherd’s repose and the approaching storm underscores the precariousness of life in an agrarian society, where survival depends on both diligence and luck. The composition evokes a feeling of melancholy beauty, capturing a fleeting moment of peace before the inevitable arrival of change.