Dear custom in a great day! Elizabeth Merkuryevna Boehm (Endaurova) (1843-1914)

The composition presents two figures engaged in a tender embrace, set against a backdrop that suggests a festive occasion. A young boy and a woman, presumably a bride given her elaborate headdress, are positioned centrally within the frame, their faces pressed closely together in what appears to be a kiss or a shared moment of intimacy. The boy is clad in traditional attire – a dark green jacket and a distinctive purple hat – while the woman wears a white blouse adorned with intricate floral embroidery and a pearl necklace. Her headdress is particularly striking, constructed from numerous small, shimmering elements that catch the light and draw attention to her face.
The background is rendered in muted tones of green and brown, creating a sense of depth and providing contrast to the vibrant colors of the figures clothing. A bowl filled with dark grapes sits on a white cloth near the lower right corner; this detail introduces an element of abundance and celebration, potentially symbolizing fertility or prosperity.
The inscription above the pair is rendered in Cyrillic script, its meaning inaccessible without translation but contributing to the overall sense of cultural specificity. The text’s placement suggests its integral to understanding the scene’s significance – perhaps a blessing or a traditional greeting associated with weddings or other important ceremonies.
Here we see an attempt to capture a moment of private affection within a public, celebratory context. The artist has chosen to depict a scene that is both personal and culturally significant, emphasizing the connection between individual emotion and communal tradition. The composition’s intimacy – the close proximity of the figures and their focused attention on one another – suggests a desire to portray a genuine and heartfelt moment, rather than a staged or formal portrait. The overall effect is one of warmth, tenderness, and a quiet reverence for custom and familial bonds.