“Autumn. River,” an oil on canvas painting by Isaac Levitan, completed in 1899, exemplifies the Realism art movement. This landscape, measuring 32 x 46.5 cm, depicts a serene autumnal scene by a river, and is currently held in a private collection within the Russian Federation.
The artwork captures a tranquil river meandering through an expansive, golden field, touched with the vibrant hues of autumn. The foreground features grasses and trees in varying stages of seasonal transformation, with some leaves turning a brilliant red and others a soft yellow. The river, depicted in deep blue tones, reflects the sky’s serene tranquility. In the distance, the landscape gently rises to reveal a cluster of buildings, suggesting a village with spires extending towards the open sky. The broad expanse of the sky dominates the composition, painted in pale blues with delicate, wispy clouds, evoking a sense of calm and vastness. Levitan’s masterful use of color and light not only portrays the serene beauty of nature but also conveys a profound sense of peaceful solitude.
