This painting is of the Olshanka "park" — the property and manor house of Vasily Polenov's maternal grandmother, Vera. Vasily knew this place from a young age — a "noble nest" which he had access to because of his aristocratic birth. He created this painting at age thirty-three, before his move to Moscow. Perhaps he intended to take the painting with him to the city as as a souvenir.
Pond in the Park is considered Vasily's first lyrical painting. What makes it lyrical is the enlivening or feeling-presence of people. But here, we don't see anyone, not even a gardener. Rather, the human presence is indirect by contrasting nature — wild, layered, deep, bright and reflective, with the formidable manor house set in the midst of it.
But I believe one of the most alluring bits of this painting of contrasts is the path along the lower right corner and the entry point or gateway cut through the hedges. We are invited to enter. "Come and see" Jesus said. But "come and see" doesn't mean, "Come and check out my upscale manor house," but come and experience what's in store for you when you enter a divine friendship, an intimacy with God, who greens and grows us up. I mean, that's what a spiritual life is supposed to be, yes?
