Pines over the sea. Alupka 1879 24, 6h33, 5 Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898)

The drawing presents a coastal landscape dominated by a grove of tall pines. The artist positioned himself at a slightly elevated vantage point, looking down upon the scene. A gentle slope descends from the foreground towards the sea, which occupies the lower portion of the composition and is rendered with minimal detail – primarily suggested through horizontal lines indicating the horizon.
The trees are the focal point; their slender trunks rise vertically, culminating in dense clusters of needles that reach upwards. The artist employed a delicate hatching technique to depict the foliage, creating a sense of texture and volume. Individual branches are discernible, contributing to the overall impression of a complex and layered forest canopy. Light appears to filter through the trees, casting subtle shadows on the ground below.
The terrain is sketched with similar precision, utilizing short, quick strokes to suggest unevenness and vegetation. The artist’s attention to detail in rendering both the flora and topography conveys an appreciation for the natural environment. A sense of depth is achieved through variations in line weight and density; closer elements are more sharply defined while those receding into the distance become progressively fainter.
The inscription at the bottom right corner, written in a script that appears to be Cyrillic, provides contextual information regarding the work’s creation – likely a date and perhaps a location or designation. The overall effect is one of quiet observation and meticulous recording of a specific place. It suggests an interest not merely in representing the scene but also in capturing its inherent structure and visual qualities.