Before the thunderstorm 1893

Isaac Levitan made this drawing using graphite on paper. The artist seems to have worked swiftly, capturing the fleeting drama of a landscape just before a storm, using simple materials and economical gestures. See how the graphite renders texture through a combination of hatching and smudging, creating a sense of volume and depth, but also of atmospheric disturbance? While the artwork is created through traditional art materials, its expressive qualities reside in its connection to the social context of late 19th-century Russia. Levitan aimed to capture the mood and spirit of the Russian landscape, which resonated with contemporary viewers. The artist connects the act of drawing directly to the landscape and its conditions. It is important to recognize that this drawing offers a sensory experience, a moment in time, and a sense of place that transcends its material form.