Winter night. 1876 34, 3h25. 5 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The drawing presents a nocturnal woodland scene rendered in meticulous detail through cross-hatching and stippling techniques. A dense forest dominates the composition, its trees rising vertically into a dark sky punctuated by faint suggestions of stars. The artist has employed a limited tonal range, primarily blacks and grays, to convey the somber atmosphere of a winter night.
The foreground is characterized by a low-lying expanse of snow-covered ground, partially obscured by tangled undergrowth and fallen branches. These elements contribute to a sense of depth and visual complexity. A single animal – likely a wolf or similar canine – is positioned in the midground, its form silhouetted against a patch of light emanating from an unseen source. The creature’s posture suggests alertness, perhaps even vigilance, adding a note of suspense to the scene.
The trees themselves are depicted with considerable realism; individual branches and needles are carefully rendered, creating a palpable sense of texture and volume. Their density obscures any view beyond, reinforcing the feeling of enclosure and isolation. Light plays a crucial role in shaping perception within the drawing. It highlights certain areas – the animal’s form, patches of snow – while leaving others shrouded in shadow, thereby guiding the viewers eye and contributing to the overall mood.
Subtly, the work evokes themes of solitude, wildness, and the power of nature. The absence of human presence underscores a sense of untamed wilderness, while the lone animal embodies both vulnerability and resilience within this environment. The darkness that pervades the scene can be interpreted as symbolic of mystery or even foreboding, inviting contemplation on the hidden aspects of existence. The meticulous rendering style suggests an appreciation for natural detail and a desire to capture the essence of a specific moment in time – a winter night deep within the woods.