Prostitutes 

Boris Grigoriev created this stark drawing titled "Prostitutes", though we don't have an exact date for it. Grigoriev lived through tumultuous times in Russia, including World War I, the Russian Revolution, and its aftermath. Here, he presents a scene laden with social commentary, capturing the lives of women in a context marked by societal upheaval. There is a tension between vulnerability and defiance. One woman leans on a table, seemingly exhausted or lost in thought, while the other reclines on a bed, wearing only boots, and looking directly at the viewer. The boots, combined with her pose, give her an aura of strength and perhaps a degree of agency in her situation. This image invites us to consider the complexities of gender, class, and survival during a period of great social change. It also reminds us to look beyond stereotypes and to recognize the individual stories embedded in the broader narratives of history.