Choose your wife not in a round dance but in a garden Vladimir Taburin (1870-1954)

The composition presents two figures positioned on either side of a roughly constructed wooden fence. A young woman stands in the foreground, her posture suggesting weariness or frustration. She is clad in a simple peasant dress with a white apron and blue headscarf; her hand rises to touch her forehead, an action that conveys contemplation or perhaps mild distress. Beside her rests a long-handled shovel, leaning against the fence post, implying recent labor.
On the opposite side of the barrier stands a young man, dressed in a dark red coat with a fur hat. He appears to be observing the woman, his gaze directed towards her. His stance is more relaxed and upright than hers, suggesting a position of assessment or consideration. A bucket hangs from the fence on his side, further reinforcing an association with domestic tasks and rural life.
The background reveals a landscape characterized by bare trees and muted autumnal colors. The sky above is overcast, contributing to the overall somber mood. The ground beneath the figures is uneven and muddy, adding to the sense of hardship and toil.
Beneath the scene, Cyrillic script provides textual context. While untranslated here, its presence indicates a narrative or commentary embedded within the visual representation.
The painting seems to explore themes of courtship and marriage within a rural setting. The fence acts as a symbolic barrier between the two individuals, suggesting an initial distance or hesitation in their relationship. The woman’s posture and the shovel imply that practical skills and hard work are valued qualities in a potential partner. The mans observation suggests he is evaluating her suitability.
The overall impression conveyed is one of quiet contemplation and understated social commentary on traditional courtship rituals, emphasizing the importance of domesticity and labor within a rural community.