“Forest before the storm,” an artwork by Ivan Shishkin created in 1872, belongs to the Realism art movement and exemplifies the landscape genre. The piece captures the serenity and imminent tension in a forest approaching a storm.
The artwork meticulously depicts a forest scene where tall trees stretch upwards, their foliage displaying a variety of hues—ranging from the vibrant greens to the early signs of autumn. The play of light and shadow is masterfully handled, revealing a cloudy sky that hints at an impending storm. The foreground features a small clearing with a modest stream crossing through, reflecting the tranquil atmosphere before the anticipated disturbance. The brushstrokes and color palette imbue the scene with a sense of realism, inviting the viewer to feel the calmness and underlying tension in nature’s quiet moments.
