Grandmother's Garden, follows immediately after Moscow Courtyard. It is the 2nd of three (a landscape trilogy) by which Polenov introduces plein air (outdoor) painting to the world of Russian Art. Plein Air painting isn't just a new technique, but an expression of the artist's personal union with nature. It is in-the-moment painting where and when we are struck by something that is unexpected, unplanned — a surprise! Plein air captures the poetic beauty of everyday life, eliciting from the viewer a feeling of quiet and calm.
We know the expression "going off into the sunset." Here, Polenov acknowledges the 18th century moving into the 19th century. An elderly woman, in dark brown and supported by her cane, walks in her gone-wild garden. Her 18th century mansion, once the scene of great balls and entertainment is in the background—the steps and porch, the capitals of the pillars, the windows, the ornamental work of the pinnacle—are all decaying and crumbling. She is in conversation with her 19th century granddaughter, who wears pink and holds a book (of new ideas?). The 1700's are fading gracefully into the 1800's—a century of inventions and discoveries. See the light on the path! It is a painting of bright-sadness.
But notice as well—Polenov has not simply painted a ruined building and called it a day, but placed it in a kind of primal garden, peopled with two women in a caring relationship. The artist feels respect for this passing of time. No one should be in a hurry to tear it down, to pave it over, to build something new and "useful."
Look at those tall, spikey, rocket-like flowers blooming to the left. There are more, very humble, negligible flowers, close to the ground along the path where it turns and fades out to the right. St. John of Kronstadt writes "Flowers are the remains of paradise on earth" — reminders of lost Eden's bliss. In a passing world, an often noisy, tumultuous, cruel world, we can escape to nature. Of necessity, sometimes nature is reduced to a potted plant cared for in an office cubicle or an apartment window sill. Vasily Polenov encourages us not to become cynics, but to find life and beauty wherever it may be found.
