Artwork
Rye Fields
Rye Fields is an oil painting by the Realist artist Ivan Shishkin. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Rye Fields is an 1878 oil painting by Russian artist Ivan Shishkin, measuring 107 cm × 187 cm. It is part of the Tretyakov Gallery's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a ripening rye field near Lekarevo, Tatarstan, with scattered pine trees, a country track, and distant, threatening clouds under a hazy summer sky. The scene conveys a sense of 'God's grace' and 'Russian wealth' as noted by the artist, emphasizing the expanse and natural abundance of the Russian countryside.
Technique & Style
Shishkin employed bold, expressive brushstrokes and a thoughtful balance of light and shadow to create depth and texture, drawing the viewer into the scene. The composition includes characteristic elements from his work: pine trees and a receding road.
History & Provenance
Based on a 1877 pencil sketch made during a trip with his daughter, the painting was preceded by similar rye field works from the 1860s, also in the Tretyakov Gallery. The sketch was marked 'this one' (Эта), indicating its selection for development into the final piece.
Context
Reflecting Shishkin's affinity for depicting landscapes near his birthplace in Yelabuga, Rye Fields connects to his broader oeuvre focused on Russian natural landscapes, often highlighting their vastness and beauty.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin (Russian: Иван Иванович Шишкин; 25 January 1832 – 20 March 1898) was a Russian Realist painter and draughtsman, best known for his landscape subjects.
