Artwork
Return of the father from the fair
Return of the father from the fair is an oil painting by the Realist artist Alexei Korzukhin. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Alexei Korzukhin’s oil on canvas, painted in 1868, depicts a modest rural procession returning from a fair. The work is part of the collection of Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery. A central figure in a dark coat and hat leads a small group along a dusty lane, under an overcast sky that lends the scene a subdued atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a father figure, identifiable by his walking stick and red waist sash, accompanied by a woman, a child, and an elderly bearded man. Their collective movement suggests a shared return from communal activity, evoking themes of family cohesion and the rhythms of provincial life in 19th‑century Russia.
Technique & Style
Korzukhin employs a restrained palette and careful modeling of light and shadow to convey depth, a practice reminiscent of chiaroscuro. The contrast between the dark clothing of the lead figure and the muted background foliage creates a focal point, while the soft rendering of the overcast sky enhances the painting’s quiet, contemplative mood.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1868, the painting entered the Tretyakov Gallery’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving works that illustrate everyday Russian society during the late Imperial period.
Context
The work belongs to a broader tradition of Russian genre painting that documented rural customs and social interactions. By focusing on a simple, everyday scene rather than grand historical narrative, Korzukhin aligns with contemporary realist tendencies that sought to portray the lived experience of ordinary people.
Artist & collection
