Silhouette of the book. From the village of memories, 1882 4 Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The drawing presents a scene steeped in nostalgia and rural simplicity. Here we observe two children standing near what appears to be a dilapidated structure – perhaps a gate or arbor – with a cow grazing nearby. The entire composition is rendered in silhouette against a light background, which immediately establishes a sense of distance and perhaps even loss.
The children are depicted with minimal detail; their forms are generic, suggesting they represent archetypes rather than specific individuals. Their posture conveys a quiet stillness, an absorption in the moment that speaks to a slower pace of life. The cow, positioned centrally, is similarly simplified, its form solid and grounded, symbolizing sustenance and connection to the land.
The crumbling structure above them introduces a note of decay and the passage of time. Its overgrown appearance hints at abandonment or neglect, suggesting a fading past. The foliage surrounding it further reinforces this sense of encroachment by nature, implying that even human constructs are subject to the forces of natural cycles.
The ground is rendered with intricate detail – a tangle of roots and vegetation – which anchors the scene in its environment. This attention to the earth suggests an emphasis on the importance of place and a connection to ones origins. The presence of birds flying above adds a touch of lightness, perhaps symbolizing hope or freedom amidst the melancholic atmosphere.
Subtly, the drawing evokes themes of childhood innocence, rural life, memory, and the inevitable march of time. It is not merely a depiction of a pastoral scene but rather an exploration of how memories are formed and preserved – how they become silhouettes against the backdrop of experience. The lack of color enhances this feeling of distance, as if we are looking back at a moment that has been filtered through the lens of recollection.