Night in the hut. Sketch for 'Sleeping Children' 

Vasily Perov sketched this poignant scene in oil on canvas, capturing a night in a humble hut. The window, divided into a cross shape, stands out as a symbol laden with meaning. The cross, originally a symbol of sacrifice and redemption, takes on a starker form here. Echoes of this symbol reverberate through time, from the early Christian cruciform to its appropriation as a symbol of power. Here, in this dim interior, it is a silent witness to the hardships endured by the poor. The mother sewing by dim light evokes ancient archetypes of maternal care and domestic toil, a recurring motif across cultures and centuries. The image delves into the collective unconscious, stirring primal emotions related to family, survival, and the cyclical nature of life and suffering. We see how symbols are never static. The cross continues its journey through time, appearing in various guises, shaped by different hands and beliefs.