Children running from a Thunderstorm 1872

Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky painted "Children Running from a Thunderstorm" using oil on canvas. The image depicts two young peasant children fleeing an approaching storm, reflecting humanity's primal relationship with nature's forces. The girl carrying her sibling evokes classical iconography, reminiscent of depictions of Charity, where a female figure selflessly cares for others. This motif connects to ancient Roman ideals, where 'caritas' symbolized love and care for kin, embodying a sense of duty. We see echoes of this sentiment across centuries of art, from Renaissance paintings to modern photography, each echoing a deep-seated emotional resonance tied to nurturing and protection. This act of carrying, itself a symbol, transforms over time, yet the core message remains. It is the cyclical return of care and the instinct of survival which continues to surface.