Fallen tree. Siverskaya 1879 29h43 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The drawing presents a scene dominated by a large tree that has fallen across a body of water. The composition is starkly divided between the dark foreground and a lighter, atmospheric background. Here we see the massive trunk and root system submerged in the water, its branches extending outwards, creating an intricate network of lines against the sky.
The artist employed a technique emphasizing texture through dense hatching and cross-hatching, particularly evident in the depiction of the tree’s foliage and roots. This creates a sense of weight and physicality for the fallen tree, contrasting with the more fluid, less detailed rendering of the waters surface. The water itself is suggested by horizontal lines that ripple slightly, indicating movement or reflection.
The background features a distant landscape rendered in softer tones, suggesting hills or mountains shrouded in mist. This creates depth within the image and emphasizes the scale of the fallen tree. A sense of impending weather is conveyed through the agitated sky, marked with short, energetic strokes that suggest wind or an approaching storm.
Subtly, the drawing evokes themes of disruption and decay. The fallen tree symbolizes a loss of stability and natural order. Its presence in the water implies a transition – a movement from one state to another. The surrounding landscape, while beautiful, seems distant and unaffected by this event, which could be interpreted as an observation on natures indifference or resilience.
The monochromatic palette contributes to the somber mood, reinforcing the feeling of loss and emphasizing the raw, textural qualities of the scene. Overall, the drawing conveys a powerful sense of melancholy and contemplation about the forces that shape the natural world.