Summer day. Chickens in the backyard. 1874 Alexey Kondratievich Savrasov (1830-1897)

The canvas presents a rural scene bathed in the diffused light characteristic of a summer afternoon. Here we observe a small backyard enclosed by dense foliage and a weathered wooden fence. The composition is dominated by three chickens – a rooster with vibrant plumage and two hens – engaged in their daily activities near a roughly hewn log.
The artist employed a muted palette, favoring earthy greens, browns, and yellows to evoke the atmosphere of a sun-drenched countryside. Brushstrokes are loose and visible, contributing to an impressionistic quality that prioritizes capturing the fleeting effects of light and texture over precise detail. The foliage is rendered with a degree of abstraction, suggesting rather than defining individual leaves or branches. This technique lends a sense of depth and naturalism to the scene.
A modest cottage occupies the background, its thatched roof emitting a wisp of smoke that hints at domestic life within. The presence of this dwelling, though secondary in focus, anchors the composition and establishes the setting as a working farmstead.
Beyond the immediate foreground, the landscape extends towards a distant horizon line, subtly suggesting an expansive rural environment. A few scattered stones are visible on the ground, adding to the sense of uncultivated space. The overall effect is one of quiet tranquility and simple pastoral existence.
Subtly embedded within this seemingly straightforward depiction lies a commentary on the rhythms of rural life. The chickens, as symbols of domesticity and sustenance, occupy a central position, their actions suggesting an ongoing cycle of growth and renewal. The weathered fence and modest cottage evoke a sense of history and tradition, while the loose brushwork and diffused light contribute to a feeling of nostalgia for a simpler time. The painting does not merely depict a scene; it conveys a mood – one of peaceful contentment rooted in connection with nature and the enduring values of rural community.