Description of the picture:
Evening ringing – Levitan. 1892. Oil on canvas. 87×107.6
The master several times turns in his work to the amazing harmony of Russian nature and Orthodox values. So in this work, the viewer has the opportunity to see in the picture everything that so often escapes the look in life.
The author has ripened the idea of writing a monastery in the rays of the setting sun for quite some time. He carefully chose nature, looked closely, мейд endless sketches, until, finally, he saw a small monastery on the banks of the Volga. The greenery surrounding the monastery, the lazy river, the bridges, and, most importantly, the lighting in the morning and evening hours, мейд such a strong impression on the artist that there was enough inspiration for two paintings, created with different moods, written in different angles and different thematically.
Three planes with symbolic meaning are clearly read in the picture. In the foreground is the shore, darkened by evening twilight. A narrow path leads to the shore, on the sandy beach there is a small pier for boats. Two empty boats awaiting passengers, a third, fully loaded, has already reached the middle of the river.
The symbolic meaning of the foreground of the picture is undoubtedly connected with the earthly, vain and gloomy world. The thin path is the path from which spiritual rebirth begins.
The river itself in the picture, like the Styx in ancient Greek mythology, symbolizes the border between the worlds. The boat crossing again sends the viewer to the myths of Greece: Charon is a carrier of souls for a fee of two coins. The river at the master becomes a symbol of obstacles and temptations on the way to God.
The main thing in the work is the long-range plan. Here we see the cloister flooded with the rays of the evening sun. The opposite shore begins with a wide road directly from the water to the monastery gates. The towers and domes of the temples are modest and restrained. All the greatness of the spiritual haven is created by golden evening light and pink reflections of clouds in the sky.
The author filled his picture with a call for spiritual rebirth, which leads to life in harmony with nature. Lush greenery framing the monastery from all sides, in contrast to the sparse vegetation on "near" shore, emphasizes the harmony between the temple and nature.
The author brilliantly succeeded in the water surface, reflecting "bright" side of the river. The riot of colors that bloomed the sky in the picture adds a fabulous and mysterious note to the mood of the work. The versatility and deep meaning of the work makes it one of the most interesting in the work of the great master."