10 magical Russian landscapes (PICS)

1. Isaac Levitan. Above the Eternal Peace, 1894

Levitan is considered a landscape master, and this picture marks the pinnacle of his creativity. In it, we see the artist’s trademark melancholy spirit and almighty sense of eternity and spaciousness, embodied in the view over a steep bank on the Volga.

2. Alexey Savrasov. The Rooks Have Flown In, 1871

It’s often said that Savrasov is a one-hit wonder. But it’s a memorable one. Despite the snow in the foreground, the pink sky, migratory birds, and the first melted pool signify the long-awaited arrival of spring.

3. Ivan Shishkin. Morning in a Pine Forest, 1889

Every Russian knows this picture from childhood, because it’s depicted on a favorite candy bar. Incidentally, the bears were not painted by Shishkin, but by the artist Konstantin Savitsky. For some reason, however, the art collector Pavel Tretyakov decided to have the second painter removed from the name plate.

4. Vasily Polenov. Oka. Evening, 1903

As with Levitan, it is difficult to select just one landscape by Polenov. He traveled extensively and made sketches in Europe and the Middle East. But he especially loved the landscape of the Oka River, where he had a house (today the Polenovo Museum-Estate).

5. Valentin Serov. Pond in Abramtsevo. 1886

The estate of philanthropist Savva Mamontov in Abramtsevo was a haven for many great Russian artists: Ilya Repin, Viktor Vasnetsov, Vasily Polenov, Konstantin Korovin, to name just a few. It was there that Serov painted his famous Girl with Peaches (posed by Mamontov’s daughter), and, in between more serious works, drew picturesque local landscapes.

6. Arkhip Kuindzhi. Birch Grove, 1879

An entire exhibition was organized for this one picture. Just look at the amazing play of light — Kuindzhi’s hallmark.

7. Konstantin Korovin. Winter, 1894

Korovin simply adored winter, and this picture, just one in his highly successful winter cycle, was snapped up by the Tretyakov Gallery. The canvas provides a wonderful illustration to Pushkin’s similarly themed poem Winter Morning.

8. Konstantin Yuon. In the Province. Torzhok. Tver Governorate. 1914

Serov’s pupil Yuon painted many landscapes in Moscow and surrounding towns and cities. Although little-known to foreigners, Torzhok is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Russia.

9. Nicholas Roerich. Karelian Landscape (Lake Ladoga), 1918

Roerich is primarily known for his fabulous Himalayan landscapes, but Mother Russia often posed for him, too. For example, Lake Ladoga in the north of the country, here painted in the artist’s characteristic “eastern” style.

10. Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin. Noon, 1917

The revolution in Russia was not only social and political, but artistic. The Bolsheviks overthrew the old regime, and the avant-gardists the classical canons of painting.