And cold and hungry and to house a distance! Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The composition presents a solitary figure enveloped within a harsh winter landscape. Here we observe a young man, presumably a soldier given his uniform and elaborate shako, seated amidst a snow-covered field. The palette is dominated by muted tones of grey, brown, and white, contributing to the overall sense of bleakness and desolation.
The artist has rendered the figure with a degree of realism, yet also imbued him with an almost childlike vulnerability. His posture – hunched forward with clasped hands – suggests weariness, cold, and perhaps despair. The gaze is directed outward, beyond the immediate surroundings, hinting at longing or contemplation. The oversized shako, while indicative of military rank, appears cumbersome and adds to the impression of a young man ill-suited for such conditions.
The background is indistinct, blurred by snow and atmospheric perspective. This lack of detail serves to isolate the figure further, emphasizing his solitude within the vastness of the environment. The inscription at the bottom, written in Cyrillic script, reinforces this feeling of isolation and distance – it translates roughly as Cold and hungry and a long way from home.
The year “1812” is inscribed in the upper right corner, likely referencing the Napoleonic invasion of Russia, an event known for its brutal winter conditions and devastating impact on both armies. The painting does not depict a specific battle scene but rather captures a moment of quiet suffering – the psychological toll taken by war upon an individual soldier.
Subtly, the work explores themes of hardship, displacement, and the human cost of conflict. It is less concerned with heroic narratives or grand military strategy than it is with portraying the personal experience of a young man far from home, enduring physical discomfort and emotional distress amidst the unforgiving landscape of war. The image evokes empathy for those who suffer in times of conflict, transcending any specific historical context to speak to universal experiences of loss and longing.