Muzh zhenu veselit Russian folk splints

The drawing presents a scene of domestic life rendered with a stark realism characteristic of late 18th or early 19th-century printmaking. Here we see a man laboriously pulling a small cart containing a woman. The composition is dominated by the figure of the man, positioned centrally and angled towards the viewer, emphasizing his exertion. He wears simple clothing – breeches, a shirt, and a waistcoat – and a hat that suggests a working-class status. His posture conveys fatigue; shoulders slumped, he leans into the effort of pulling the cart.
The woman in the cart is dressed more elegantly, with a high-waisted gown and a bonnet. Her expression appears somewhat detached or even bored, contrasting sharply with the man’s visible strain. The cart itself is rudimentary, constructed from wood and featuring large, spoked wheels. A small dog accompanies them, seemingly observing the scene with an air of curiosity.
The background is sparsely detailed, suggesting an outdoor setting – possibly a road or path leading away from a building on the left side. Text surrounds the image in Cyrillic script, further contextualizing it within a specific cultural and linguistic sphere. The presence of text alongside the visual elements suggests this is likely a satirical illustration accompanying a poem or narrative.
Subtexts embedded within the drawing revolve around themes of social class, gender roles, and labor. The disparity in dress between the man and woman hints at an imbalance of power or responsibility within their relationship. The man’s arduous task contrasts with the womans apparent ease, potentially critiquing societal expectations regarding mens roles as providers and womens perceived passivity. The inclusion of the dog adds a touch of levity to what is otherwise a scene of toil, perhaps serving as a commentary on the absurdity of the situation or offering a moment of respite from the seriousness of the subject matter. The overall tone suggests a gentle mockery of domestic life and social conventions, delivered through a combination of realistic depiction and subtle visual cues.