fortune-teller with a candle. 1828. Oil on canvas. 64h51. GRM Orest Adamovich Kiprensky (1782-1836)

The composition presents a woman, presumably engaged in the practice of divination, illuminated by the flickering light of a single candle. She is positioned centrally within the frame, her gaze directed upwards and slightly off-center, creating a sense of introspection or perhaps apprehension. The artist has rendered her with a somewhat unconventional beauty; her features are not idealized but possess a certain intensity, accentuated by dark circles beneath her eyes and a faintly troubled expression.
The palette is dominated by warm earth tones – browns, ochres, and deep reds – which contribute to the overall atmosphere of intimacy and mystery. The limited light source casts dramatic shadows across her face and clothing, further emphasizing her emotional state and adding depth to the scene. A richly ornamented candlestick holds the candle aloft, its brassy sheen contrasting with the darker hues surrounding it.
Below her hand rests a small table upon which are scattered objects associated with fortune-telling: a deck of cards lies partially visible, suggesting an interrupted reading or perhaps a moment of contemplation before proceeding. The arrangement feels deliberate, not haphazard, hinting at a staged performance rather than a spontaneous event.
The woman’s attire – a simple blouse and headscarf adorned with what appears to be jewelry – suggests a life lived on the margins of society. Her gesture, resting her chin upon her hand, conveys a sense of weariness or perhaps a calculated stillness intended to project an air of authority and mystique.
Subtly, the painting explores themes of deception, vulnerability, and the human desire for knowledge about the future. The candle’s light, while providing illumination, also symbolizes fragility and impermanence – qualities that resonate with the uncertain nature of divination itself. There is a palpable tension between the womans outward appearance of confidence and an underlying sense of melancholy or anxiety, inviting speculation regarding her personal circumstances and the burden of her profession. The work seems to question the boundaries between truth and illusion, reality and perception.