Portrait of O.V. Surikova (married Konchalovskaya), the artist’s daughter, in childhood Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (1848-1916)

This is a full-length portrait of a young girl, identified as O.V. Surikova (later Konchalovskaya), the artists daughter, as a child. She stands centrally in the composition, facing directly towards the viewer with a serious, almost solemn expression.

Her hair is dark and cut in a neat bob, framing her round face. She has large, dark eyes that gaze directly at the observer, and her lips are softly closed. Her attire is a rich, red dress adorned with small, white polka dots. The dress features a tiered skirt with ruffles and a sash tied around her waist. A prominent, white lace collar, intricately detailed, encircles her neck.

She is holding a doll in her arms. The doll appears to be antique, with a porcelain-like face and hair, dressed in a light-colored outfit. The girls stance and the way she cradles the doll suggest a sense of maternal tenderness or a deep connection to her toy.

The background is somewhat sparse, with a white, tiled surface on the left and what appears to be the dark, metal door of a stove or furnace on the right. The floor is depicted with wooden planks. The lighting seems to come from the front, casting soft shadows and highlighting the textures of the fabric, lace, and the doll.

The subtexts of the painting can be interpreted in several ways:

• Childhood Innocence and Play: The presence of the doll and the girls direct gaze evoke a sense of childhood. The doll can symbolize comfort, companionship, and the early stages of exploring roles through imaginative play.
• Maturity Beyond Her Years: Despite being a child, her serious expression and direct gaze lend an air of maturity, perhaps hinting at a keen observational ability or an inner thoughtfulness.
• The Artists Love and Perception: As a portrait by her father, the painting likely represents the artists affectionate observation and capture of his daughters essence at a particular moment in her young life. Its a personal record of her appearance and character.
• Domesticity and Warmth: The setting, with the tiled wall and hints of a stove, suggests a domestic interior, potentially implying a sense of warmth and safety. The red dress might also contribute to this feeling of vibrancy and warmth.
• Social Status: The elaborate lace collar and the well-made dress, along with the doll, could subtly indicate the familys socioeconomic standing and access to quality goods during that period.