#22843 Boris Kustodiev (1878-1927)

The painting presents a young child standing in what appears to be a domestic interior. The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing the figures stature and positioning him centrally within the frame. He holds a small, brightly colored parrot, its plumage a vibrant contrast against his muted attire.
Here we see the boy dressed in a patterned coat of light blue and white, with dark shoes peeking out from beneath the hem. His expression is one of quiet amusement or perhaps mild surprise, directed outward toward the viewer. The artist has rendered his features with a degree of softness, suggesting youthfulness and innocence.
The background consists of furniture – chairs and what seems to be an upholstered bench – rendered in shades of green and brown. These forms are not sharply defined; instead, they blend into one another, creating a sense of atmospheric depth and reducing the visual importance of the setting. The brushwork is loose and expressive throughout, contributing to a feeling of immediacy and spontaneity.
The presence of the parrot introduces an element of unexpectedness and perhaps symbolic weight. Parrots are often associated with mimicry, exoticism, and even captivity – themes that could be interpreted as subtle commentaries on childhood development or social roles. The childs interaction with this creature suggests a nascent understanding of the world beyond his immediate surroundings.
The subdued color palette, dominated by greens, blues, and browns, contributes to a mood of quiet introspection. The overall effect is one of gentle observation, capturing a fleeting moment in the life of a young boy within the confines of his home. There’s an underlying sense of nostalgia or sentimentality evoked by this depiction of childhood innocence and domesticity.