14: Russian Painting of the First Half of the 19th Century

Portrait of Two Adolescents with Bouquets of Flowers

First half of the 19th century

Unknown artist

97.5 x 84 cm

Oil on canvas

We do not know the names of the boy and girl (evidently brother and sister) depicted in this painting. That does not, however, prevent us from correctly perceiving the main idea of the work - friendship and love - that is expressed with unsophisticated directness and immediacy. This painting is a typical example of the "naive" painting of the first half of the 19th century that is exceptionally interestingly represented in the collection of the Department of the History of Russian Culture.