The painting “Among the Flat Valley” by Ivan Shishkin is the loneliness of endless expanses in the work of an outstanding master

In the center of the painting “Among the Flat Valley” is a lonely standing, majestic oak tree. Being at some distance, he occupies the central part of the canvas and seems to be the only hero of the work. Its mighty spreading crown, illuminated by invisible sunbeams, casts a thick shadow on the ground.

Around only the boundless Russian valley with burdocks and dim wildflowers along a winding path. Only on the horizon, where the earth touches the sky, like a thick fog, white porous clouds creep.

Author of the picture: Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (1832-1898).
Year of writing: 1883
Size: 136.5 x 203.5 cm.
Style: Realism.
Genre: Landscape.
Technique: Oil painting.
Material: Canvas.
Location: Kyiv State Museum of Russian Art, Ukraine.

Ivan Shishkin is an outstanding Russian artist

Comprehending the secrets of craftsmanship, he continued to study nature until the end of his life, regularly traveled to the surrounding area to sketch and sketch from nature. The beauty of native nature dominates in all his work. And the works look like a big open window.

Grieving the loss of his beloved woman, Shishkin often compared himself in his thoughts with the very oak tree that was “one in everyone’s eyes” and grieved that it was difficult “for a young man without a sweet life to lead.” However, the artist did not stop for a day in his professional development and continued to improve his skills.

In his work, he used the classical style of writing developed over the years, correctly identified colors and accurately displayed the material world. But the master developed the composition of the landscape in a new way, using the principle of active construction, which erases the imaginary barrier between real and picturesque space. The path starting in the foreground and going into the depths seems to invite the viewer to follow the moment depicted by the artist.

The painting “Among the Flat Valley” by Ivan Shishkin opened a new productive period in the master’s work, became an image of courageous and soulful beauty and evoked a response from the viewer.