1912
oil on canvas
95,3 х 131,2

The painting continues the traditions of indoor painting of the age of romanticism, first of all A.G.Venetsianov's school. The sun-lit interior scene is painted under the influence of impressionism, the Russian version of which has a typical lyrical note. Impressionism influences the way the life of things is portrayed. The best part of the composition's space is claimed by windows, with the room space left open-ended to let in the world outside. Behind the windows is the triumph of spring nature, with new foliage warming the heart, and the sky ablaze with azure. The windows are like a pair of eyes, wide open to let in the world on the point of awakening, drinking in bright sunlight. A posy of snowdrops on the window sill seems to be a fragment of the blue sky. The walls of old manor house come alive, become warm, luminous as if impregnated by the Sun. The window that is shut projects a different mood. Seen through the window pane, dim with time, the landscape seems to be glowering, its colours faded out. The portraits and Empire-style chairs introduce a suggestion of nostalgic memories of the life that at one time filled the house, but now gone forever.