Marquise book. Illustration5 Konstantin Andreevich Somov (1869-1939)

The drawing presents a scene populated by four figures arranged in a hierarchical and emotionally charged composition. A woman, elaborately dressed in a dark gown with floral patterns and a towering headdress, dominates the left side of the frame. Her posture is stiff and formal; she holds a slender object – likely a fan or walking stick – with an air of detached authority. The face, rendered with a peculiar elongation, contributes to an unsettling effect, suggesting either caricature or a deliberate distortion intended to convey social distance.
To her right, three male figures are positioned in varying states of distress and amusement. One man, clad in white with a red sash, appears to be weeping, his face buried in his hands. His posture conveys vulnerability and profound sadness. Standing behind him is a figure dressed as a harlequin – a traditional comedic character – wearing a diamond-patterned costume and a pointed hat. He holds a club or baton, suggesting a playful but potentially threatening presence. The final man, positioned on the far right, displays an open, almost gleeful expression, his face tilted upwards in what seems to be laughter.
The ground is covered with a discarded red garment, adding another layer of narrative complexity. It could represent a fallen status symbol or a discarded piece of clothing associated with the weeping figure, further emphasizing his humiliation and loss.
Subtextually, the drawing appears to explore themes of social hierarchy, emotional vulnerability, and the complexities of human interaction. The woman’s aloofness contrasts sharply with the raw emotion displayed by the man in white, while the harlequins presence introduces an element of mockery or ironic commentary. The laughter of the fourth figure suggests a detachment from the suffering of others, potentially highlighting societal indifference or cruelty. The discarded garment hints at a disruption of order and a potential fall from grace. Overall, the drawing conveys a sense of unease and social satire, suggesting a critical examination of power dynamics and human behavior within a specific cultural context.