1777
oil on canvas
199 х 244

The signature on the reverse side of the canvas attests to the fact that the painting depicts peasants of Suzdal province from the settlement of Tatarov. The artist has depicted an ancient rite – the marriage agreement – a contract concluded between families of the groom and the bride with respect to the coming wedding. The author reproduces with ethnographic precision the costumes and head wear of participants of the rite, the dress of the bride, the character of the embroidery and even the variety of material. The balance of the composition and the monumental stasis of the personages convey the solemnity of the proceedings and emphasize the unchanging nature of the life style of the peasant estate. Historical painting exerted an influence on the composition of the painting. The depiction of the main persons in the centre of the painting, the cool colours used, the precision of the drawing, the volume of the shapes, the smooth and dry manner of application of paint were all characteristics of an Academic composition.

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