Dilapidated huts by the forested mountain 1890

This graphite drawing was made by Isaac Levitan, a Russian landscape painter who lived in the late 19th century. Levitan's art often captured the melancholy beauty of the Russian countryside, and here we see dilapidated huts nestled near a densely forested mountain. In Russia at this time, the rapid industrialization of urban centres stood in stark contrast to the poverty and decay of rural life. Levitan's landscapes weren't just pretty pictures, they served as social commentary, highlighting the neglect of the Russian peasantry. By focusing on the simplicity and even the desolation of the rural landscape, he challenged the romanticized views of the countryside promoted by the Russian Academy of Arts. He was self-consciously progressive, using his art to critique the social structures of his time. Understanding art like this requires us to consult historical records, literature, and social histories. By looking at art within its social and institutional context, we can understand how it comments on and shapes the world around it.