The artwork “High Waters”, painted by Isaac Levitan in 1895, hails from the Russian Federation and belongs to the Realism art movement. It is a landscape genre painting.
The artwork presents a vast, marshy terrain under a heavy, overcast sky. Dark, thick clouds dominate the upper section, suggesting incoming storm or nightfall. The waterlogged fields below reflect the somber hues of the sky, creating a harmonious yet desolate atmosphere. The horizon, barely discernible, sets a boundary between the expanse of the water and the brooding sky, underlining the dramatic interaction between the two. The subdued color palette, combined with the meticulous depiction of natural elements, exemplifies the Realism movement’s focus on portraying the natural world with authenticity and emotional depth.