This masterpiece of Russian church landscape was created by the artist shortly after his first trip abroad. At the first glance at the picture, the viewer feels that the author seems to have missed his native expanses, with such strength, love and tenderness he recreates the Volga monastery on the canvas.

Quiet Abode - Levitan. 1890. Oil on canvas. 87.5x108

    This masterpiece of Russian church landscape was created by the artist shortly after his first trip abroad. At the first glance at the picture, the viewer feels that the author seems to be missing his native expanses; with such strength, love and tenderness he recreates the Volga monastery on the canvas.

    The monastery is fenced off from the world by the Volga, only thin and shaky bridges connect it with the bustle and fussiness of the secular world. In the pinkish rays of the rising sun, when nothing disturbs the silence around, the monastery, immersed in greenery, looks especially solemn and calm.

    Light, timid clouds in the morning sky are rushing to make way for light after a short summer night. The reflection of the monastery in the slow and lazy river water creates a special rhythm of work, allows the viewer to return again and again to the details of the masterpiece and sets the mood for calm contemplation of the magnificent Russian landscape.

    The rickety walkways end at a bank on which someone has carefully built a sandy staircase. A well-trodden path is visible next to the stairs. This detail of the landscape takes on a symbolic meaning. Everyone can choose their own path to the temple. The author seems to be trying to say that the road to God can be different, and the final goal appears only after long and devastating searches and mistakes.

    In addition, the rising sun has already illuminated the monastery church, while the opposite bank is still in the grip of twilight. And the reflection of the monastery in the Volga water can be a symbol of a mirage - those temptations and false virtues that turn a person away from God’s peace, complete peace, tranquility and spiritual purity.

    The picture is rich in halftones. The master was able to discern dozens of the most subtle, barely perceptible shades in the timid and muted light of sunrise. All this makes the work very close to everyone and gives rise to warm and bright feelings.