Description of the picture:
Rye – Savrasov. 1881. Oil on canvas. 45,4×64
The personal life of the artist always affects the plot and mood of his work. So this work is full of foreboding of the storm, bad weather, revelry of the elements. A strong wind presses heavy ears to the ground. Tragically, the black sky not only portends, it screams about an approaching storm. Over a small church, barely visible in the distance, there are still white clouds swirling, which try to hide the field from the elements, but the power of bad weather is too strong.
The image of a mature cornfield is a popular plot among Russian landscape painters of the 19th century. But Savrasov’s work is distinguished by tension and hopelessness.
It is known that the artist in this period of life is experiencing an acute crisis in his personal life, which could not but affect his work.
At about the same time, the author creates two works with the same title and plot. If the first is the beginning of the rampage, then the second is the end, the ending. The setting red sun barely illuminates the stormy field. In its tension and anxiety, the second option is superior to the first.
In the first version, the author slightly brightens up the apprehension of the impending element with thick greenery and heavy gold of the field, in the second version the field itself is hidden from the viewer, and obscure dark spots and dark red tones leave no hope, but only note the destruction and emphasize hopelessness.
In the master’s works, his ability to create a vivid and impressive atmosphere strikes with his avaricious means. Accurate lines, subdued but expressive flavor, well-balanced composition – all this makes both landscapes outstanding works of Russian painting."