The wanderer in Russia is the embodiment of the biblical “poor in spirit”, with whom the Kingdom of Heaven is promised. People of this breed have always been treated with respect, some even with fear. After the reform of 1861, there were a lot of such wanderers. Among them were those who chose complete freedom, even in absolute poverty.
From the picture looks an old man in old, patched clothes, sandals. He has a staff in his hands, and a duffel bag with all his belongings behind his back. Immediately it is striking that a broad gray beard is well groomed, hair neatly combed. Clothing, albeit well worn, but clean. The look of the hero is full of dignity, wisdom and hopeless sadness. And his posture speaks of independence and self-confidence, no matter what.
The artist paid special attention to the hands of his hero. The hero has a long and hard life behind his shoulders, which did not bring him happiness, prosperity, joy. But the desire to enjoy freedom and to be dependent only on oneself, overcame all the temptations of the material order. The artist chooses a dark, neutral background, allowing the viewer to focus on the character of the hero, his amazing look.
It is known that the master painted a portrait of an old man, in whose life he wanted to take part, to arrange him in an orphanage. The master was amazed when a wanderer, offended by one of the owners of the shelter, refused to settle in it and chose to continue dragging out the hard life and interrupted by random earnings.
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