And cold and hungry and to house a distance! 2 Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The drawing presents a solitary figure, a young boy viewed from behind, traversing what appears to be a vast, indistinct landscape. He is positioned slightly off-center, his posture suggesting weariness and determination. The composition emphasizes the distance separating him from an unseen destination.
Here we see the boy burdened with a large sack slung over his shoulder, its weight visually contributing to his stooped stance. His grip on a simple wooden staff indicates reliance and perhaps a need for support during his journey. The clothing is plain and functional – a dark jacket and trousers – devoid of any embellishment that might denote status or comfort.
The artist has rendered the background with muted tones, creating an atmosphere of bleakness and isolation. A hazy horizon line suggests an expansive, potentially unforgiving environment. The boy’s gaze is directed forward, beyond the viewers perspective, implying a focus on a distant goal despite his current circumstances. His hair is disheveled, further reinforcing the impression of hardship and exposure to the elements.
The Cyrillic inscription at the bottom of the drawing provides a direct commentary on the scene: And cold and hungry and to house a distance! This text functions as an immediate emotional key, clarifying the boy’s plight and underscoring the themes of deprivation and longing for home. The phrase evokes feelings of vulnerability and resilience in equal measure.
The overall effect is one of poignant realism, conveying a sense of hardship and displacement. It speaks to universal experiences of loss, journey, and the enduring human spirit facing adversity. The drawing’s power lies not only in its depiction of physical discomfort but also in its subtle suggestion of emotional endurance.