Portrait of Vari Adoratskaya (1914) Nikolay Feshin (1881-1955)

The painting depicts a young girl, Vari Adoratskaya, sitting on a table covered with a white tablecloth. She is wearing a simple white dress and has her hair in braids. Her legs are extended across the table, and she is holding a small orange object in her hands, perhaps a fruit or a toy.

The table is cluttered with various items, suggesting either a meal that has just finished or a playful disarray. There is a doll lying on the tablecloth near the girls legs, along with scattered toys and what appears to be remnants of food and drink, like oranges, grapes, and a coffee pot. The background is a neutral, muted gray wall, with a window sill in the upper part of the painting featuring potted plants and decorative objects. There are also framed pictures and what look like small figurines or cutouts attached to the wall.

The overall impression is one of domestic intimacy and a moment captured in time. The subtexts of the painting could include:

• Childhood Innocence and Play: The presence of the doll, toys, and scattered fruit strongly points towards the activities and world of a child. The girls direct gaze can be interpreted as a moment of being caught in the act or a thoughtful pause in her play.
• A Specific Moment: The scene feels very specific, as if the artist has documented a particular, perhaps fleeting, moment in Varis life. The disarray on the table contributes to this sense of an unposed, natural snapshot.
• The Artists Connection to the Subject: As a portrait, the painting aims to capture the essence of Vari. Her calm, yet direct, gaze suggests a certain composure or perhaps a slight awareness of being observed. The intimate setting further implies a close relationship between the artist and the sitter.
• Everyday Life and Domesticity: The scene is grounded in a domestic setting, highlighting the beauty and quiet moments found in everyday life. The details on the window sill and the wall suggest a lived-in space.
• The Passage of Time and Growth: While depicting a child at play, the painting also implicitly speaks to the passage of time. The girl is on the cusp of growing up, and this portrait could be seen as a record of her youth. The contrast between the playful clutter and the girls perhaps more composed demeanor could hint at her moving beyond simple childish pursuits.