Ferry Alexey Stepanov (1858-1923)

The canvas presents a scene of rural transportation across water. A flat-bottomed barge or ferry is depicted mid-crossing, its surface occupied by several figures and animals. The composition is dominated by a sense of movement and the interplay between light and shadow.
Here we see a group of individuals – men in simple clothing – seated on the barge alongside a collection of horses, some ridden, others led. Their postures suggest weariness or quiet resignation rather than active engagement with their surroundings. A lone figure stands at the bow of the ferry, seemingly guiding its progress; his stance is alert and attentive, contrasting slightly with the subdued demeanor of those behind him.
The water itself is rendered with a textured brushstroke, conveying both the surface ripples and an underlying sense of depth. The sky above is overcast, heavy with clouds that diffuse the light and contribute to the overall somber mood. A strip of bare trees lines the distant shore, adding to the feeling of isolation and vastness.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of labor, transportation, and rural life. It appears to capture a moment in time – a routine crossing – but one that is imbued with a sense of melancholy. The subdued color palette – predominantly blues, grays, and browns – reinforces this feeling. The presence of the horses suggests an agrarian society reliant on animal power for both work and transport.
The composition’s emphasis on horizontal lines (the barge, the shoreline) creates a sense of stability, while the diagonal lines formed by the ropes and the direction of movement introduce dynamism. This interplay contributes to a visual tension that prevents the scene from feeling static or overly sentimental. The artist seems interested in portraying not just the physical act of crossing but also the psychological state of those involved – a quiet endurance within a landscape defined by its limitations.