Kiss in the mouth for the Feast of Christ! Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The composition presents two young children engaged in a tender embrace. The boy, positioned on the left, has his eyes closed and his face tilted upward, seemingly lost in the moment. He is dressed in a dark blue sailors suit with white accents at the collar and cuffs. To his right stands a girl, her arms wrapped around him, offering a kiss to his lips. She wears a delicate white dress adorned with lace and a pink ribbon in her hair. Her gaze is directed downwards, towards the boy’s face.
The artist has employed a muted color palette dominated by soft browns, creams, and blues. The background is a warm, indistinct brown that allows the figures to remain the focal point. Brushstrokes are visible, contributing to a sense of immediacy and intimacy. Theres an intentional roughness in the application of paint, which lends a certain vulnerability to the scene.
The inscription flanking the children suggests a celebratory context; phrases related to a feast or holiday appear written in what seems to be Cyrillic script. This contextualization implies that the depicted affection is not merely personal but also imbued with cultural and religious significance.
Beyond the surface depiction of innocent affection, subtexts emerge concerning societal norms and expectations surrounding childhood innocence and familial bonds. The closeness between the children, particularly the physical intimacy of the kiss, might be interpreted as a symbolic representation of unity or shared joy within a community celebrating a significant occasion. The artist’s choice to portray such an intimate moment in what appears to be a public setting – implied by the inscription – raises questions about the boundaries of childhood expression and the role of affection in communal celebrations.
The overall effect is one of quiet tenderness, evoking feelings of nostalgia and suggesting a longing for simpler times or cherished traditions.