The artwork titled “Little Russian Ox Cart in Winter,” painted by Ivan Aivazovsky in 1866, is an oil on canvas piece exemplifying the Romanticism art movement. The genre painting measures 34 by 41 centimeters and depicts a winter scene characteristic of rural Russia.
In the artwork, a small cottage, covered in snow, stands prominently to the left. The thatched roof, blanketed by the winter frost, hints at the frigid climate. Near the cottage, the road leads into the distance where a group of people can be seen managing an ox cart piled with hay. Two figures guide the oxen, and a figure in the foreground appears to be trudging through the snow, carrying what seems to be supplies. The barren tree on the right, devoid of leaves, complements the stark, wintry landscape. The sky above, painted with somber hues, enhances the overall tranquil yet austere atmosphere. The running stream in the foreground, partially frozen, mirrors the coldness of the environment. Aivazovsky employs a rich palette and careful brushwork to bring the serene, rural winter scene to life.
