wash white, guests blizenko! Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The drawing presents a child immersed in water within a shallow basin. The figure is rendered with a delicate, almost hesitant line, suggesting vulnerability and innocence. A soft, diffused light illuminates the scene from above, highlighting the contours of the childs body and creating subtle shadows that define its form.
Here we see the child engaged in an interaction with what appears to be a small animal – possibly a duckling or chick – held within their hands. The creature’s head is tilted downwards, seemingly mirroring the child’s own posture, which conveys a sense of quiet contemplation rather than playful exuberance. The water itself is not depicted realistically; instead, it serves as a unifying element, blurring the boundaries between the child and its surroundings.
The background is indistinct, fading into a warm, sepia-toned hue that contributes to the overall feeling of nostalgia or reminiscence. A signature appears in the lower right corner, adding a personal touch to the work. The inscription beneath the image, written in an elegant script, further anchors the drawing within a specific context, hinting at a private significance beyond its immediate visual content.
Subtly, the scene evokes themes of nurture and dependency. The childs posture suggests a reliance on something external for comfort or security. The presence of the animal introduces a layer of symbolic meaning – perhaps representing companionship, fragility, or even a connection to nature. The muted palette and soft rendering contribute to an atmosphere of tenderness and introspection, inviting viewers to consider the complexities of childhood innocence and the quiet moments that shape it.