The artwork titled “On the river Volga” is an oil painting on canvas created in 1888 by Isaac Levitan, a distinguished artist associated with the Realism movement. This landscape genre painting is housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a serene and expansive view of the Volga River, underlined by a contemplative and tranquil mood. The composition features several boats gently resting on the riverbank, demonstrating a meticulous attention to detail and a profound appreciation for the natural landscape. The river, depicted with calm, reflective waters, stretches into the horizon where it meets a warm and slightly hazy sky, suggesting either dawn or dusk. The distant tree line on the opposite bank contributes to a sense of depth and infinity, embodying the vastness and beauty of the Russian landscape. Levitan’s subtle use of light and shadow conveys a tranquil, almost melancholic ambiance, typical of his ability to capture the ephemeral qualities of nature.