Stepan Fedorovich Kolesnikov: 1879-1955

Stepan Fedorovich Kolesnikov was an Ukrainian artist studying under Ilya Repin. Many of his works depict the desolate landscape, free from human interaction or animal life. These landscapes however, are full of life, movement, emotion and energy. The trunks and branches of trees twist and sway, conveying a sense of emotional responses to the viewer. Even without their leaves, when life is lost to the cold, the trees live and stand tall, confident and full of individuality. When human and animal life are introduced within the composition, a relationship is formed and a narrative established. The landscape itself does not take on a secondary roll, nor do the individuals added. He gives them both a sense of equality and respect in his attempts to depict them in paint. The figures live in unison within the landscape and are humbled at its immensity and subtleties. The most incredible aspect of his works in my opinion (particularly the snow scenes) is how he captures shadows. The life and energy of the tree branches and trunks is projected onto the snow covered ground. The cool blues decorate the still snow as a delicate lace, extending the viewers eye into the distance as the mesh of blue veins combine into a whole. Finally, the brush strokes he uses are confident and purposeful but loose and broad. The interplay of colour creates incredible atmospheric affect. The most notable would be the lady in red with a basket against a wall. Here, the warm red tones of her clothing, ground and wall and subjected to a cool evening sky while the last light flickers in and dances upon the wall.