Seasons. SUMMER. Owners of the grain VOROSHOK. Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The composition presents a scene of rural life during what appears to be summer. Two children occupy the foreground; a girl and a boy, seated near a substantial pile of harvested grain. The girl, wearing a headscarf and simple blouse, is actively engaged in stirring something within a metal bowl placed on the ground between them. The boy, dressed in darker clothing, leans forward with an expression that suggests attentiveness or perhaps anticipation.
The sheer volume of grain stacked behind them dominates the visual space. It’s not neatly arranged but rather forms a somewhat chaotic mound, suggesting abundance and the labor involved in its collection. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – ochres, browns, and muted greens – which contribute to an overall impression of warmth and sun-drenched fields. A hazy horizon line suggests distance and expansiveness.
The childrens posture and interaction convey a sense of quiet industry and shared responsibility. Their faces are rendered with a degree of realism that emphasizes their youthfulness and vulnerability. The bowl, the focus of the girl’s attention, hints at sustenance and perhaps a communal meal prepared from the harvest.
Subtly embedded within the composition is an element of social commentary. The childrens presence alongside such a significant quantity of grain implies a relationship to the land and its bounty, yet their attire and demeanor suggest they are not landowners but rather laborers or dependents. This juxtaposition subtly alludes to themes of rural poverty and the unequal distribution of resources, common concerns within agrarian societies.
The inscription at the bottom right, though illegible in detail, reinforces this sense of a specific social context – likely a dedication or acknowledgement related to individuals involved in agricultural work. The overall effect is one of quiet dignity amidst hardship, portraying a moment of everyday life within a larger system of labor and dependence.