What does happen when you get old? When your closest person is no longer with you? When your children are grown-ups and might have their own grandchildren. Sometimes they call you to ask how are you. Sometimes you get to see your grandchildren and grand-grandchildren. Not very often. And you notice they don’t especially like being with you. There are other, more interesting things to do: video games, football (soccer), baseball, friends, the neighbour’s girl who giggles in a funny way and whose eyes are so sparkling.
How can she be happy living this lonely life? What’s the meaning of her life now?
This painting gives a simple answer.
Again, look at it closely. What do you see there? What’s the story? What are the details?
An old lady is mending Xmas tree toys.
She took them out from their storage box and is checking whether the threads that are attached are ok. If not, she cuts them and makes new ones.
Let’s feel at home and look around while she’s busy.
It is a clean flat. Tidy. Poor. The furniture is vintage Ikea, dating back to when Ikea was not even there in the Soviet Union. Yet, it is being maintained in immaculate condition. You can’t see any items out of place. There is a sewing box on the table, but it is there, because it is needed now. She’ll take it to a drawer which is guaranteed to have things laid out in a very organised way.
So, the answer to the question about the meaning of her life is very simple. She’s the last link between the past and future generations of her family and she maintains family values, traditions and history to have that link unbroken even when she’s no longer around to decorate a puny Christmas tree with toys what were out of fashion 30 years ago. She’s doing that with dignity and determination. She keeps calm and carries on. Regardless.
And this is another example of a typically Russian painting. As I wrote here, a Russian painting may be simple and straightforward in terms of what it shows, but it’s going to be loaded with messages like a Tolstoy’s story.
Standing Ovation, Seated 
I grew up
in the canadian prairies
~
this scene
could easily be
any
lonely
older lady
from my former hometown
Thank you – I suspected this painting is more international than I’d thought initially )
I see most of the same things you see. Art crosses cultural lines. Most obvious to me is that she is alone, but she values family and traditions.
Yes, it is a very international piece. It is a good (though not great) painting, but most people won’t buy it because they don’t want to be reminded about old age…
Interesting. I was definately feeling the same things about what story this painting was illustrating: respect and joy of traditions, hands on way of doing things, simplicity, family values. You see the kitchen table nearby reflecting the family that may come to visit..or not. Pictures on the wall of days gone by, some people gone…but others still blazing away. Its a great painting that tells so much.
Good! I am happy it resonated with you as well! I was a bit concerned that it might be relevant to the Russian culture only (due to its symbols), but it doesn’t seem to be the case )
Love this! I like how you pointed things out on the image.
Thank you! I am happy to have you here. And very interested in reading what you write about art! )
Thanks for the post and for letting us see into the picture
You’re very welcome! I am happy to have you as a reader. Perhaps, some of what I am writing about will reflect in what you are doing as well ) Thank you!
Yes – I love the examination of the domestic scene. They can at first look be regarded as passive representations, but, as you have shown, these images can capture aspects of our lives which are deep, even fundamental.