Old Friends are Best. Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The composition presents a young boy in close proximity to three teddy bears. He is positioned slightly off-center, his gaze directed downwards and towards the bear he holds gently in his hands. The childs expression conveys a sense of quiet contemplation or perhaps melancholy; it’s not overtly joyful but rather imbued with a gentle sadness. His hair is rendered with loose brushstrokes, suggesting a youthful dishevelment. He wears a white shirt beneath a dark blue jacket, the fabric appearing soft and slightly rumpled.
The bears themselves are arranged in a triangular formation behind him. One stands upright, its posture somewhat stiff and formal, while the others lean against it, their poses more relaxed. Their fur is depicted with varying shades of brown and beige, creating textural interest. The artist has employed a muted color palette dominated by earth tones – browns, creams, and blues – which contributes to the overall somber mood.
The background is indistinct, appearing as a blurred wash of reddish-brown, which serves to isolate the figures and focus attention on their interaction. A script in an unidentified language appears at the bottom left corner, partially obscured but adding another layer of visual complexity. The signature is visible in the lower right corner.
Subtextually, the painting seems to explore themes of companionship, innocence, and perhaps a touch of loneliness. The boy’s attachment to his toys suggests a need for comfort or solace. The bears, as stand-ins for human connection, offer a sense of stability and familiarity. The subdued emotional tone hints at a deeper narrative – a moment of quiet reflection within the childs world. It is possible that the work intends to evoke nostalgia or a yearning for simpler times.