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

The drawing presents a domestic scene centered around a woman and her children within what appears to be a rural setting. The composition is tightly focused on this familial group, with minimal background detail suggesting a deliberate emphasis on their immediate relationships. Here we see the woman seated, cradling an infant in her arms; she occupies the central position, visually anchoring the entire arrangement. Three other children surround her – two clustered close to her body and one standing slightly apart, observing the interaction.
The artist employed a limited tonal range, relying primarily on variations in line density to create form and suggest light and shadow. This technique lends the drawing a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if capturing a fleeting moment rather than presenting a formally posed portrait. The children’s clothing appears simple and functional, indicative of a modest socioeconomic status. Their postures – the closeness of two to their mother, the slightly hesitant stance of the third – convey a range of emotions from dependence and comfort to curiosity and perhaps a touch of shyness.
Subtly embedded within this depiction is an exploration of familial bonds and rural life. The woman’s posture suggests both nurturing and exhaustion; she seems weary but devoted. The childrens presence underscores themes of continuity, tradition, and the cyclical nature of family life. The drawing evokes a sense of quiet dignity and resilience characteristic of agrarian communities. It hints at a world where kinship is paramount and daily existence revolves around the needs of the household. The overall impression is one of understated beauty and poignant observation of everyday moments within a close-knit community.