Resurrection of Christ to all in fun! Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The drawing presents a young child seated on what appears to be a rough-hewn wooden bench or ledge. The figure is positioned in profile, turned slightly towards the viewer, with a direct gaze that conveys a sense of playful innocence and perhaps knowing amusement. The child’s hair is rendered with loose, curling strokes, suggesting a natural, unkempt quality. Clothing consists of simple garments – a white shirt and blue trousers – indicative of a humble background or rural setting.
A small bowl filled with colorful berries sits near the childs hand, seemingly within easy reach. A wooden toy, resembling a miniature rifle or spear, is held in the child’s grasp, pointed playfully towards the viewer. The posture suggests an active engagement with the world, a readiness for play and interaction.
The background is indistinct, rendered in muted earth tones that create a sense of depth without drawing attention away from the central figure. A handwritten inscription appears to the right of the child, its script adding another layer of meaning to the scene. The text itself seems celebratory or devotional in nature, hinting at a connection between the image and religious themes.
The overall impression is one of lightheartedness and accessibility. The artist has chosen to depict a moment of simple joy, potentially suggesting that faith and spirituality can be found even within the everyday experiences of childhood. The juxtaposition of the child’s playful actions with the solemnity implied by the inscription creates an intriguing tension – a suggestion that religious belief is not necessarily bound by formality or seriousness but can be embraced with genuine enthusiasm and delight. The toy weapon, while seemingly innocuous in this context, could also carry subtextual weight, perhaps symbolizing a youthful defiance or a playful engagement with power dynamics.