Janitor, who gives a flat mistress. 1878 Yaroslavl Vasily Perov (1833-1882)

The composition presents a scene unfolding in front of a building heavily laden with snow. The architecture suggests a modest urban dwelling, likely residential, and the inscription above the doorway indicates it is inhabited by Balovniks. A man, presumably a janitor or caretaker, stands framed within this entryway, his posture and expression conveying agitation and disapproval. He gestures emphatically towards two women positioned in the foreground.
The women are dressed in dark, formal attire appropriate for the period – one wears a fur-trimmed coat and bonnet, while the other is cloaked in black with a veiled hat. Their faces are partially obscured, but their body language suggests a mixture of apprehension and defiance. They appear to be engaged in conversation, though the content remains unspoken. The snow-covered ground beneath them contributes to the overall sense of coldness and austerity.
The artist’s use of light is significant. A harsh, diffused illumination highlights the mans face, emphasizing his furrowed brow and open mouth, conveying a palpable sense of outrage or remonstration. The women are partially shrouded in shadow, which adds an element of mystery to their presence and obscures their intentions.
Several subtexts emerge from this arrangement. The scene implies a social dynamic fraught with tension – a confrontation between a working-class man and two women who appear to be of higher social standing. The janitor’s bare feet suggest poverty or a disregard for societal norms, while the womens formal dress indicates respectability and adherence to convention.
The inscription above the doorway is crucial; Balovniks likely refers to someone considered indulgent or spoiled – a potential explanation for the janitor’s anger. The women may be visitors or residents of this household, and their presence has evidently provoked a strong reaction from the caretaker. Its possible that they are involved in some transgression or impropriety, which is the source of his displeasure.
The painting offers a glimpse into the social hierarchies and potential conflicts within a specific historical context – a moment frozen in time where class distinctions and moral judgments are subtly but powerfully conveyed through gesture, attire, and setting.