Summer (A trip to the Terem) 1918

Boris Kustodiev painted this summer scene, perhaps in the early 20th century, with an eye for the vastness of the Russian landscape. The dominant green hues suggest the artist has lovingly painted the fields and trees with fluid brushstrokes, but the overall impression is one of a bright, expansive view. You can almost feel him, palette in hand, capturing the light as it filters through the clouds, trying to pin down that particular shade of green that sings of summer. I imagine Kustodiev wanting to emphasize how nature hums with life, a peacefulness which might relate to the tradition of Russian landscape painting, but with this additional folksy and modern touch. Look at how he's balanced the earthly greens with the sky, reflecting how the artist wants to grasp the sublime, but also celebrate the everyday life and labor of rural folk. It’s a moment of pause, of reflection, set against the backdrop of the never-ending cycle of seasons.