Ethnic groups in Russia. Kalmykia. Love us dark-haired. Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The artwork presents two figures positioned centrally against a muted, ochre background. A young boy stands adjacent to a girl, both depicted in traditional attire indicative of a specific cultural group. The boy wears a light blue tunic with a contrasting white collar and a distinctive flat cap adorned with decorative elements. He holds a small, intricately patterned vessel in his left hand, seemingly offering it towards the viewer.
The girl is dressed in a brown vest over a red shirt, her head covered by an elaborate headdress featuring red and white accents. She firmly grasps a large, cylindrical container, possibly intended to hold liquid. Her gaze is directed forward with a directness that suggests both confidence and perhaps a degree of formality.
The artist’s rendering emphasizes the childrens faces, which are characterized by round features and relatively large eyes, contributing to an overall impression of innocence and vulnerability. The brushwork appears somewhat loose and expressive, particularly in the depiction of fabric textures and facial details. A signature is visible in the lower right corner, rendered in Cyrillic script.
Beneath the figures, a text block is present, also written in Cyrillic. Its translation suggests an appeal for affection or acceptance based on shared characteristics – Love us dark-haired. This inscription introduces a layer of complexity to the work, implying a potential concern with identity and representation within a broader cultural context.
The composition’s simplicity and the childrens direct gaze suggest a deliberate attempt at creating a positive and accessible image intended for public consumption. The inclusion of traditional clothing and the textual appeal likely served to reinforce a sense of cultural distinctiveness while simultaneously soliciting empathy or understanding from an external audience. The work, therefore, appears to function as both a portrait of a specific group and a statement about its place within a larger society.