As Pushkin in literature was a recognized singer of the Russian autumn, so Isaac Levitan in painting did not tire of glorifying this amazing time of the year. Hundreds of canvases, large and small, captured the most diverse corners of the native land of the artist, forever preserving wonderful landscapes for the eyes of posterity. Autumn appears in them so peculiar and so recognizable! The bright holiday of Indian summer, the rainy blues of the first bad weather and the mournful slush on the eve of winter - everything is expensive and close to the virtuoso of brushes and colors, in all weather he finds his joy and charm, “eyes of charm”.
History of the work
So, Levitan, Golden Autumn.
Description of the picture can be started with a small curriculum vitae. The work was created by the artist in 1895, at the very end of the 19th century, the time of vague and for the Russian intelligentsia is not very clear. At the same time, this is the heyday of creativity, its skill, a productive surge of talent. On a very small canvas (82 by 126 cm) painted a surprisingly bright, cheerful landscape. Looking at it, it becomes quite clear why Levitan called his “Golden Autumn” his work. Description of the autumn picture is made in the most saturated, major tones. But they are very rare in the artist, unusual for him. The master was an adherent of calmer, pastel shades, paints of moderate saturation, soft and delicate. But, apparently, the painter was very touched and admired by the magnificence of nature, which departed from his characteristic manner of writing. And Levitan was not mistaken! “Golden Autumn” is a description of a picture of nature, or rather, a picture of it in the vicinity of the Syezh River, which flows near the village of Ostrovno. In those places, the artist lived in a manor with the interesting name Gorka (formerly the Tver province, now the region). It happened in 1895, under the impression of being in such beautiful places, he got down to work.
Picture analysis
The first painting, which is remembered under the name Levitan, is “Golden Autumn”. Description of the picture should begin with the foreground. On it we see a birch grove, spread out on both banks of a narrow but deep river. Its banks are steep and high, overgrown with grass and shrubs. A reddish-brown earth peeps through them, visible among the withered blades of grass and half-naked branches with yellow and reddish leaves. Above the slope, the white-barreled beauties themselves grow, golden, sparkling in the bright rays of the already non-hot sun. It seems that gold - yellow and red - is poured in the air itself.
After all, several blazing scarlet aspen add saturation to the overall flavor. By the way, it is worth emphasizing how attentive Levitan is. "Golden Autumn" - a description of a non-uniform landscape! In the yellowness itself, as the most commonly encountered paint, it observes and reflects so many shades that you wonder! However, it also draws attention to other colors. Greenish-gray, as if faded, washed by autumn rains are trees on the right bank of the river. In the background, in the distance, you can see the village, peasant huts. Fields extend further, and a lemon-ocher forest stretches along the horizon.
Mood picture
The celebration of being, the enthusiasm for the fragile, short-lived beauty of nature - this is what Levitan's painting “Golden Autumn” conveys. Composition on it with pleasure is written by schoolchildren at the lessons of speech development. Indeed, true beauty attracts, ennobles, touches, educates and teaches careful handling. The beautiful is always defenseless. It is worth remembering to everyone and everyone.
No wonder it is said that it is beauty that will save our world from lack of spirituality!