A Summer Day near Saint Petersburg (1880s CE)

A Summer Day Near St. Petersburg, painted by Andrei Nikolaevich Shilder in the 1880s, is an oil on canvas painting that invites viewers into the serene beauty of the Russian countryside near the imperial capital. This early work captures a sunlit summer day, rendered with poetic resonance and meticulous detail. Paired with A Foggy Morning Near St. Petersburg, it showcases Shilder’s skill in contrasting seasons and moods, offering a glimpse into the tranquil and emotive essence of Russian landscapes.

Created in the 1880s, the artwork emerged during a period of significant social and cultural change in Russia. Andrei Shilder, born in St. Petersburg and trained under the renowned landscapist Ivan Shishkin, was an active member of the Peredvizhniki, (The Wanderers), a group of realist artists who broke from the conservative Imperial Academy of Arts to depict everyday Russian life and nature. This painting, one of Shilder’s earliest known works, reflects the Peredvizhniki’s mission to make art accessible through traveling exhibitions, celebrating Russian national identity through its natural landscapes. The 1880s were marked by a growing emphasis on cultural heritage, with landscape painting serving as a medium to express pride in Russia’s natural beauty.

A Summer Day Near St. Petersburg holds a significant place within the context of 19th-century Russian landscape art and the Peredvizhniki movement. The movement sought to portray the Russian people and their environment with realism and emotional depth, moving away from academic idealization. Shilder’s work, influenced by Ivan Shishkin’s detailed naturalism and comparable to Isaac Levitan’s lyrical landscapes, captures the essence of Russian identity through its depiction of the St. Petersburg countryside. The painting’s bright, summery atmosphere contrasts with its paired counterpart, A Foggy Morning Near St. Petersburg, symbolizing the diversity of nature’s moods and seasons. This duality reflects the Peredvizhniki’s aim to evoke emotional resonance and celebrate Russia’s natural heritage, making the artwork a valuable contribution to understanding Russian cultural identity in the late 19th century.

The painting is an oil on canvas, measuring 192 x 110 cm (75.6 x 43.3 inches), and is signed in Cyrillic script by Shilder in the lower right corner. The large scale allows for intricate detailing of natural elements, such as trees, meadows, or water, typical of Shilder’s realist yet poetic style. His technique, influenced by Shishkin, emphasizes precise observation of nature, with careful attention to light, texture, and atmosphere. The vibrant colors and luminous quality of the summer scene showcase Shilder’s ability to capture the interplay of sunlight and shadow, creating a vivid and immersive landscape. 

The artwork was part of a private collection in Vienna for three generations before its sale at Dorotheum on June 7, 2021. The high sale price reflects its authenticity and desirability, supported by expert analysis from Dr. Olga Sugrobova-Roth. The painting’s journey from a private collection to a prominent auction highlights its enduring appeal. While its current location is not specified, Shilder’s works are housed in prestigious institutions like the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.