К концу лета на Волге 1873 холст масло 55х44 см часть 1 - Russian and soviet artists Русские и советские художники

The canvas presents a late summer landscape dominated by a sense of quietude and expansive space. Here we see a broad expanse of harvested fields, punctuated by several large stacks of hay. These mounds are rendered with a textured application of paint, suggesting the roughness of the dried grasses and the labor involved in their collection. A scattering of wildflowers adds subtle color to the foreground vegetation.
The horizon line is positioned relatively low, emphasizing the vastness of the sky above. The atmospheric perspective is skillfully employed; distant features – a cluster of trees, a windmill, and what appears to be a small village – fade into a hazy blue-grey, conveying depth and distance. The sky itself occupies a significant portion of the composition and is characterized by dramatic cloud formations. These clouds are painted with loose brushstrokes, creating a sense of movement and suggesting an impending change in weather.
The light source appears to be diffused, casting soft shadows and contributing to the overall mood of tranquility. A single bird flies across the scene, adding a touch of life and dynamism to the otherwise still environment. The color palette is restrained, primarily consisting of earthy tones – ochres, browns, greens – with subtle accents of blue and grey in the sky and distant landscape.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of a rural scene, the painting evokes themes of harvest, labor, and the cyclical nature of time. The haystacks symbolize abundance and the fruits of human effort, while the vastness of the landscape suggests a connection to something larger than oneself – perhaps a sense of belonging or contemplation of the natural world. There is an underlying melancholy present; the end of summer is implied, hinting at the approach of autumn and the inevitable passage of time. The subdued color scheme and quiet composition contribute to this feeling of introspection and gentle resignation.