Artwork
The Hunters at Rest
The Hunters at Rest is an oil painting by the Realist artist Vasily Perov. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1871, *The Hunters at Rest* is an oil painting by Vasily Grigorevich Perov, a central figure of Russian Realism and a founder of the Peredvizhniki collective. The work belongs to the genre‑scene tradition, portraying a quiet moment in the lives of ordinary people rather than an idealised tableau.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas captures three men in mid‑19th‑century attire seated on a grassy plain, their rifles and the fallen birds at their feet identifying them as hunters. Engaged in casual conversation, the figures appear relaxed, suggesting a pause in the hunt that invites reflection on the routine and camaraderie of rural labor.
Technique & Style
Perov employs meticulous brushwork to render the textures of clothing, leather straps, and metal barrels with convincing realism. The background recedes into a softly diffused landscape of trees and a cloud‑filled sky, creating depth while keeping the focus on the detailed figures and their immediate surroundings.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has been part of the Tretyakov Gallery’s collection in Moscow, where it remains on public display. Its acquisition reflects the gallery’s commitment to preserving works that exemplify the social concerns and artistic approaches of the Peredvizhniki movement.
Context
*The Hunters at Rest* exemplifies the Realist agenda of the Peredvizhniki, who sought to depict everyday Russian life without romanticisation. By choosing a mundane hunting scene, Perov aligns with the group’s aim to present authentic social observation, offering insight into the customs and material conditions of the period’s lower and middle classes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Vasily Grigorevich Perov (Russian: Василий Григорьевич Перов; 2 January 1834 – 10 June 1882) was a Russian painter, a key figure of the Russian Realist movement and one of the founding members of Peredvizhniki.
