Hunters at Rest

Hunters at Rest - 1871 is one of Vasily Perov's greatest narrative accomplishments and is well-known for its understanding of the psychological elements of the society among hunters in Russia during the end of the 19th century. The work depicts three hunters enjoying a respite from the hunt on an autumn day in a stark, serious landscape context that provides a realistic setting consistent with Perov's other works. The essence of the composition is visible in the varied characteristics and expressions of the three primary subjects. On the left is an older gentleman, who is gesturing excitedly, as he narrates an exceptionally elaborate (and likely embellished) story about his recent hunting experiences to the naïve and very impressionable young man seated to the right. The elderly gentleman is seated to the left, and the enthusiastic young man is seated to the right. The middle-aged gentleman to the left of centre is listening to the conversation, while also displaying the expression of incredulity and humor with regard to the elderly gentleman's exaggerated story. Perov effectively uses light and shade to infocus attention on the emotional exchange between the character's faces. Within the clearing, all of the elements that the hunters were involved with are present: weapons (shotgun), hunting instrument (horn), the hunting animal (dog), and the hunted animal (dead game fowl). The objects are painted in a realistic manner, but the primary ethos of the painting is to critique human nature and variety in ages.