Sunset is typical of Kuindzhi's style, as he was known for his large landscapes, and can be described as a unique work of Russian luminism—a style of art not widely embraced in Imperial Russia.

[2][3] Kuindzhi made two sketches preceding his painting of Sunset.

The painting displays many of the hallmarks of Kuindzhi's style, namely the central position of a light source, incorporation of a low horizon, and aerial perspective.

At the time of its rendering, the painting broke with de facto conventions of Russian Realism, which had not been overly influenced by Luminism.

[4] The painting was originally known as Red Sunset, with "on the Dnepr" (Dnepr being an alternative name for the Dnieper) being added by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which acquired the painting in 1974.