Wolves are afraid not to go into the forest Vladimir Taburin (1870-1954)

The artwork presents a scene unfolding within a dense woodland setting. Three children, clad in traditional rural attire – a red skirt and white blouse, a crimson tunic with dark trousers, and a blue dress beneath a headscarf – are depicted in mid-motion, seemingly startled by something unseen. Their expressions convey a mixture of fear and surprise; their bodies are angled away from the viewer, suggesting an abrupt reaction to a perceived threat. Each child carries a woven basket, hinting at a foraging or gathering activity interrupted by this sudden disturbance.
The composition is dominated by verdant foliage, creating a sense of enclosure and emphasizing the children’s vulnerability within the natural environment. The trees are rendered with a degree of detail that suggests an attempt to capture the texture and density of the forest undergrowth. A rabbit, positioned in the foreground near the lower right corner, appears to be fleeing as well, reinforcing the atmosphere of panic and suggesting a shared source of alarm among both human and animal inhabitants of the wood.
The artist’s use of color is notable. The bright reds and blues of the childrens clothing stand out against the predominantly green backdrop, drawing attention to their figures and amplifying the drama of the moment. The lighting appears diffused, contributing to a slightly dreamlike quality that softens the edges of reality.
Subtly, the scene evokes themes of childhood innocence confronted with the unknown dangers of nature. The inscription at the bottom – Wolves are afraid not to go into the forest – introduces an element of folklore and suggests a reversal of expected power dynamics; it implies that even predators can experience apprehension within their own domain. This phrase adds a layer of complexity, hinting at anxieties surrounding venturing beyond familiar boundaries and confronting potential threats, both real and imagined. The artwork, therefore, transcends a simple depiction of children in the woods, becoming an exploration of fear, vulnerability, and the unsettling power of the natural world.