The Quiet Abode is a painting by the famous Russian painter Isaac Ilyich Levitan (1860-1900). The author has created a skillful landscape, reflecting the beauty of the nature of the Russian hinterland. The artist captured the river and the flimsy bridge leading towards the forest. Behind the trees we see a monastery where worldly vanity does not penetrate. The picture seems to breathe with calmness and pacification.

Isaac Ilyich Levitan is a 19th century Russian painter who became famous as a master of the “mood landscape”. The fate of the artist was not easy. He lost his parents early and was left practically without money. But by that time, the talented guy was already studying art, his work was sent to the exhibition. As a result, he received a silver medal and a financial award, thanks to which he was able to continue to comprehend the skill of painting.

Isaac Levitan was impressed by the way his teacher Alexei Savrasov (1830-1897) portrayed the Volga. The artist dreamed of going on a trip along the river. In 1887, he fulfilled his wish, but was disappointed. It was cold, the sun was rare, and all that was left of the trip was a feeling of melancholy.

Only a year later, during a second trip, the painter managed to fully appreciate the beauty of the nature surrounding the Volga. The master admired the town of Ples, where he stayed for a while. It is believed that it was this journey that inspired Isaac Levitan to write The Quiet Monastery. Local historians note that part of the monastery in the picture is very similar to the local church.

However, the landscape as a whole is not a reflection of any particular region. Rather, these are the impressions of being in different parts of the country, in particular on the Volga and in the Moscow region, where the author lived at one time. The picture has a kind of “remake” called “Evening Bells”. In this work, instead of a bridge, we see pilgrims on the river. The work is often confused with the “Quiet Abode”, despite the differences.