Age. Scythian princess. III,. BC (M. Rundaltsov) Sergey Sergeyevich Solomko (1867-1928)

The drawing presents a female figure in profile, rendered with a delicate and somewhat sketchy technique. The subject is positioned against a plain, aged background that contributes to a sense of antiquity and historical distance. A Cyrillic inscription appears at the top, identifying her as a princess from the Scythian culture, dating back to the 3rd century BC.
Here we see a woman characterized by an idealized beauty; her features are refined, with a straight nose, full lips, and large eyes that gaze directly forward. Her hair is elaborately styled, cascading down in thick braids adorned with what appear to be decorative elements – possibly jewels or metalwork – suggesting high status and wealth. A complex headdress further emphasizes this regal bearing; it seems constructed from multiple layers of ornamentation, creating a visually rich and imposing crown-like structure.
The artist’s use of line is notable. The contours are not sharply defined but rather suggested through subtle variations in pressure and shading. This imparts a sense of fragility and transience to the image, as if capturing a fleeting moment or an idealized memory. The limited tonal range – primarily browns and creams – reinforces this feeling of age and historical remoteness.
The subtexts embedded within the drawing are complex. Beyond the straightforward depiction of a Scythian princess, there is a clear intention to evoke a sense of cultural heritage and national identity. The choice of subject matter – a figure from an ancient nomadic culture – speaks to a desire to connect with a perceived ancestral past. The idealized portrayal suggests not just representation but also veneration; the princess becomes a symbol of Scythian nobility, strength, and beauty. Furthermore, the aged paper background and the sketchy rendering style contribute to a sense of archaeological discovery – as if this image were unearthed from the depths of history.