All is in the past Vasily Maksimov (1844-1911)

The painting, titled All is in the Past, depicts a somber scene of two elderly women in a rural setting. In the foreground, one woman is seated in a chair, her eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought or perhaps even napping, leaning back against a cushion. Her posture and relaxed expression contrast with the other woman, who is actively engaged in knitting. This second woman is seated on the steps of a rustic wooden house, her brow furrowed in concentration as her needles work the yarn. A traditional Russian samovar stands beside her, a symbol of domesticity and warmth, yet the overall mood is introspective and melancholic.
The background of the painting features a dilapidated, grand house, possibly a once-stately manor, now in a state of disrepair. This decaying structure, with its crumbling facade and overgrown surroundings, serves as a powerful visual metaphor for the passage of time and the fading of former glories. A loyal dog rests at the feet of the seated woman, adding a touch of gentle companionship to the scene. Birds fly in the distance, suggesting a world continuing regardless of the quietude and contemplation of the women.
The subtext of the painting is rich with themes of memory, aging, and the ephemeral nature of life. The title itself, All is in the Past, directly points to a reflection on bygone days, perhaps the women are reminiscing about their youth, their families, or a more prosperous era. The juxtaposition of the active knitting with the passive dreaming woman suggests different ways of coping with time and experience – one by staying busy and engaged, the other by withdrawing into memories. The decaying mansion in the background reinforces this idea, symbolizing the decay of fortunes, buildings, and perhaps even dreams. The overall atmosphere is one of quiet resignation, a poignant acknowledgment of the inevevitable march of time and the weight of accumulated life experiences.