Curatorial notes
Vasily Perov painted these orphans in oil, sometime in the mid-19th century. It depicts two children huddled together in a snow-covered cemetery. The older child, a girl, looks out at us with a mixture of fear and resignation while clutching her younger brother. This image speaks volumes about the social conditions in Russia at the time. As a social realist, Perov sought to expose the poverty and hardship experienced by the lower classes. He was part of a movement that challenged the established art institutions, which focused on academic and historical subjects, and turned to depictions of everyday life. Orphanhood was a widespread problem due to poverty, disease, and war. The figures are placed in a cemetery near what is likely their parents' grave. To fully appreciate Perov's work, one needs to delve into the social history of 19th-century Russia, examining census data, public health records, and accounts of peasant life. By doing so, we can begin to understand the powerful social critique embedded in this poignant image.
