Chorus dervish begging. Tashkent. 1870 Vasily Vereshchagin (1842-1904)

The composition presents a group of men lined up along what appears to be a narrow street or alleyway within a settlement. The figures are arranged in a formal procession, their postures suggesting a degree of solemnity and perhaps supplication. They wear distinctive attire: layered robes with intricate patterns, tall conical hats adorned with tassels, and long white beards that contribute to an overall impression of age and religious significance. Each man carries a vessel, likely earthenware, which they hold close to their bodies.
The setting is characterized by simple, utilitarian architecture – mud-brick buildings with flat roofs and small windows. The palette is muted, dominated by earthy tones of ochre, brown, and grey, evoking a sense of austerity and the harshness of the environment. A hazy atmosphere pervades the scene, softening details and contributing to an impression of distance and perhaps melancholy.
The artist’s attention to detail in rendering the textures of the clothing and the weathered surfaces of the buildings suggests a desire for ethnographic accuracy. The figures are not idealized; their faces bear the marks of age and hardship. This realism lends them a certain dignity, even as they appear to be engaged in an act of begging or seeking alms.
Subtly, the arrangement of the men creates a visual rhythm that draws the eye along the line of figures. The single figure visible at an upper window adds a layer of complexity; is he observing, judging, or participating? This ambiguity invites speculation about the social dynamics and power structures within this community. The overall effect is one of quiet observation, capturing a moment in time from a culture seemingly distant and unfamiliar to the viewer. Theres a sense of documentation, as if the artist intended to record a specific cultural practice for posterity.