1st January. Drink do not drink. Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The composition presents a young boy seated at a small table, engaged in the act of drinking from a bowl. The childs posture is slightly hunched, his gaze fixed downwards on the contents of the vessel. He wears a simple garment – a blue tunic with yellow trim – suggesting a modest social standing. A handwritten inscription, 1st January, appears prominently in the upper left corner, establishing a temporal context for the scene. To the right of the boy, a verse is written in Cyrillic script, further elaborating on the narrative.
The artist’s use of light and shadow contributes to a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The illumination focuses primarily on the childs face and upper body, leaving the background in relative obscurity. This directs the viewers attention directly to the boys expression and action. The color palette is muted, dominated by earthy tones – browns, yellows, and blues – which evoke a feeling of simplicity and perhaps even austerity.
The verse accompanying the image introduces an element of playful conflict. It appears to be a child’s internal dialogue regarding whether or not to drink from the bowl, expressing reluctance (Drink it, dont drink it!) alongside a desire for satisfaction (The bowl is big, let me drink well!). This suggests a negotiation between obligation and pleasure, a common experience in childhood.
Beyond the literal depiction of a child drinking, the painting seems to explore themes of tradition and domesticity. The inscription marking New Year’s Day implies a ritualistic element – perhaps a customary beverage consumed at the start of the year. The boys solitary activity suggests a quiet moment within a family setting, hinting at the routines and expectations that shape childhood experiences.
The overall effect is one of gentle observation, capturing a fleeting moment in the life of a young child with both tenderness and understated humor.