In the mountains, the forests, far from live. Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

Here we observe a small-scale drawing depicting a young boy seated at a table, engaged in writing or sketching. The composition is tightly framed, focusing intently on the child and his immediate surroundings. He leans forward slightly, his posture suggesting concentration and perhaps a degree of effort. His gaze is directed downwards towards the surface he’s working on, obscuring much of his face with a shadow cast by his unruly hair.
The color palette is muted, dominated by earthy tones – browns, ochres, and purples – which contribute to an overall sense of melancholy or introspection. The boys clothing appears simple and somewhat worn, suggesting a modest background. A scattering of what appear to be feathers lies on the table beside him, adding a layer of symbolic complexity; they could represent fragility, lightness, or perhaps even lost dreams.
The artist has employed loose, expressive brushstrokes, particularly in rendering the boy’s hair and clothing, which lends a sense of immediacy and emotional rawness to the scene. The background is indistinct, blurring into a warm, hazy tone that further emphasizes the figures isolation.
Beneath the image, Cyrillic script is visible, inscribed directly onto the drawing surface. Its presence suggests a personal dedication or message intended for someone named Zarami, Zalvesami, Alekso. The text itself speaks of remembrance, greetings, and reverence, hinting at a connection between the boy depicted and the recipient of this inscription.
The subtexts within this work are layered and open to interpretation. It seems to explore themes of childhood, creativity, memory, and perhaps even loss or longing. The boy’s solitary posture and downcast gaze suggest an internal world rich with thought and emotion. The feathers introduce a sense of transience and the ephemeral nature of inspiration. Ultimately, the drawing evokes a feeling of quiet contemplation and a poignant connection to a specific moment in time and personal history.