Elbrus. Moonlight night Arhip Kuindzhi (Kuindschi) (1842-1910)

Description of Arkhip Kuindzhi’s painting "Elbrus. The Moonlit Night".

"Elbrus. The Moonlit Night" is a sketch by Arkhip Kuindzhi on the theme of the nature of the Caucasus. The sketch is considered a preparatory work before painting a picture. It is made with oil paints on paper.

The Russian artist has always been in awe of the moonlight. At night reveals the innermost secrets of nature and the essence of things - he believed. The top of a mountain range and a river valley look completely different at a late hour. Starlight and night light are enough to make out the rocks and the snowy cap of Mount Elbrus. This is the largest volcano in the European part of the continent, which sleeps soundly. The greatness of nature and the fragility of human life - the main theme of the painting.

Kuindzhi is a worthy pupil of Ivan Aivazovsky. Arkhip Ivanovich learned the power, depth and significance of colors from his elder comrade. Cold silvery shades can convey not only the climate and phenomena of nature, but also the mystery of creation. The colors create a three-dimensional space, worthy of the grandeur of the mountains. At the boundary of light and shadow a sharp border and contrast of colors we can see. Despite the restrained tones, one finds almost the entire palette available to the author in the details.

Moonlight is a special matter. Unlike the famous "Night over the Dnieper," the viewer does not see the moon. There is no source of light, but intuitively one can feel its location in the upper left corner. The night metamorphosis does not end here. Note: the river at the bottom of the gorge reflects the light not of the moon, but of the snowy peak.

As an artistic sketch, the painting magnificently reflects feelings and emotions, which is what Quindzhi wanted to achieve.