Foot equestrian is not a comrade Vladimir Taburin (1870-1954)

The composition presents a scene set within a field of ripe wheat under a bright sky. Three figures dominate the foreground: two children appear to be pursuing another who is attempting to flee across a narrow path carved through the grain. The child in pursuit on the right wields what seems to be a scythe or similar agricultural tool, held at an angle suggesting both purpose and potential threat. He is barefoot, as are the other figures, emphasizing their vulnerability and connection to the earth.
The figure being chased lies prone on the path, seemingly exhausted or attempting to evade capture. The child pursuing from the left is depicted in mid-stride, her expression unreadable but her posture conveying a sense of urgency. Her headscarf adds a touch of traditional rural attire. The wheat itself forms a dense backdrop, its golden hue contrasting with the clothing of the children and contributing to an overall feeling of abundance and harvest time. Two stylized birds are visible in the sky, adding a decorative element that also hints at natures presence.
The scene’s subtexts revolve around themes of power dynamics, social hierarchy, and perhaps even class struggle. The act of pursuit, coupled with the tool held by one child, suggests an imbalance of authority or resources. The barefootedness of all three children could symbolize a shared poverty or lack of privilege, while the differing actions – chasing, fleeing, falling – imply distinct roles within this dynamic.
The inscription at the bottom, though illegible in its entirety without further context, seems to reinforce these themes, hinting at a commentary on social relationships and potentially critiquing an established order. The idyllic setting of the wheat field serves as a visual counterpoint to the underlying tension present in the interaction between the children, creating a complex narrative that invites interpretation beyond a simple depiction of childhood play.