A hot summer day. Blue, as if even faded from the heat of the sky. White, lazily floating on it clouds. And under them – “our ancient capital” Moscow, but not the center, but a quiet, almost rural outskirts.
Slightly dried from the sun, the grass, traversed by trampled paths. One of them leads to a white modest mansion, still ingrown into the ground, but already with a metal roof. Next – a dilapidated wooden structure – not a shed, or a rig. Through the boarded fence breaks the foliage of trees and bushes. Everything is buried in greenery, languor, goodness: Sleepy hens cackle. He is resting, ready to go to work, an obedient horse, which has been harnessed to the cart since morning. Give only a command – and the bell will tingle under the arc, announcing the beginning of the path. On the grass there were white-headed children. The eldest, which is closer to us, carefully examines some sort of epic can, for the first time interested in the world around him.
And only a woman, as always, in the work and care. Either the mother, or the nanny is carrying a full bucket, raising her hand for balance. Someone should work, so that others can rest!
This picture is like a panorama stretched in time and in space. In the foreground are children, the main thing on earth. Behind them – everything worldly, farther and higher – the domes of numerous churches, cathedrals and temples. I can not believe that there were so many of them in Moscow more than 100 years ago.
Such a wonderful harmony between man and nature, life on earth and heaven… It is a pity that all this has gone. And it’s good that it was. Thanks to the artist for saving this piece of history and life for us.
Painting by V. D. Polenov “Moscow Courtyard”