The artwork titled “On the Kama near Yelabuga,” created by Ivan Shishkin in 1885, belongs to the Realism art movement and falls under the landscape genre. This piece is characteristic of Shishkin’s meticulous attention to natural detail and his ability to vividly capture the serene beauty of the Russian landscape.
The artwork depicts a tranquil, panoramic view of the Kama River near Yelabuga. In the foreground, tall pine trees stand prominently, their textured bark and foliage rendered with precise craftsmanship. Below the trees, a gentle, sloping bank covered in grassy vegetation and shrubbery leads the viewer’s eye towards the expansive river. In the distance, the river, possibly dotted with a small sailboat, meanders through rolling hills, giving a sense of depth and vastness. The sky above is adorned with soft, billowing clouds, contributing to the overall sense of peace and natural splendor that Shishkin masterfully conveys through his detailed and realistic representation.