Portrait of MP Konchalovsky in his childhood Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (1848-1916)

The work presents a young boy standing in profile against a plain background. He is dressed in what appears to be a military-inspired costume: a peaked cap with a purple band sits atop his head, and he wears a jacket adorned with red details over a blue tunic. A dark cape drapes across his shoulders, secured by what seems to be a sash or belt. The boy’s posture suggests a certain formality, yet there is also an air of youthful awkwardness in the way he stands.
The artists use of watercolor lends a lightness and immediacy to the depiction. Colors are applied with a loose hand, creating washes that soften edges and contribute to a sense of fleeting observation rather than meticulous detail. The background’s muted tones serve to emphasize the figure, drawing attention to his costume and expression.
A notable element is the boys gaze; he looks slightly off-camera with an expression that is difficult to decipher – perhaps a mixture of seriousness and youthful curiosity. This ambiguity invites speculation about the context of the portrait. The military attire could be interpreted as a playful imitation, a symbolic representation of aspiration or authority, or even a reflection of societal expectations placed upon young boys during the period in which this was created.
The simplicity of the composition, combined with the boy’s somewhat theatrical presentation, suggests an exploration of identity and role-playing. The artist seems less interested in capturing a precise likeness than in conveying a sense of character and personality through costume and posture. There is a subtle melancholy present, perhaps stemming from the formality imposed upon a child or hinting at a deeper narrative beyond what is immediately visible.