Branch by Alexander Ivanov

Ivanov’s work was not limited to only biblical themes. He was able to write pictures of nature very subtly and spiritually. One of these canvases is Vetka. At first glance, there is nothing special about it. Everything is very simple, uninfluenced. Probably, you need to be a real artist, in order to see something worthy of imprinting in this routine.

The branch of the tree is brought to the fore. She, as it were, accidentally “peeps” into the picture, leaving her trunk behind the frame. According to the thickness of the branch, it can be assumed that this is a very young, elegant tree. The diagonal of the branch is directed from the top down. As a result, the branch with leaves occupies the central place on the canvas. Brightly, clearly, accurately painted on a branch of leaves. For greater realism, the artist uses different shades of green.

The main cold green tone is diluted with yellow and dark green hues. The background of the picture is only indicated, but not clearly defined. It’s a kind of decoration, a general background. He does not distract the viewer’s attention from contemplation of the tree branch – the main object of the composition. For the background, shades of blue and purple are used. This gives the picture freshness and mystery. It seems that everything is lost in the fog, in the mysterious morning haze.

The background of the picture is divided into two parts. But this division is not strictly horizontal. In the picture you can see the perspective, the distance and the aspiration into the distance. In the pale yellow reflections of the sky, the presence of the sun is guessed. Very soon it will rise and everything will turn into bright, juicy, summer colors. In the meantime, nothing breaks the clear coolness of the early morning.