Violeta Teslev-Klett, LCSW, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

09/16/2025

11/05/2024

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11/05/2024

🎨 "Orphaned" by Nikolay Kasatkin (1891)

🏛️ Location: Private Collection

🔍 The Story Behind the Artwork: Painted in 1891 by Russian artist Nikolay Kasatkin, Orphaned is a somber portrayal of two children grieving by a grave, likely that of a parent. Kasatkin, known for his dedication to depicting the struggles of the poor and working class, was a member of the Peredvizhniki (Wanderers), a group of artists focused on social realism. This piece reflects the harsh realities faced by orphaned children in rural Russia, capturing their isolation in a vast, barren landscape. The muted colors and desolate scenery underscore the profound sense of loss and abandonment, inviting viewers to reflect on themes of mortality, poverty, and resilience.

🖼️ Symbolism and Details: The barren, colorless landscape and the children’s tattered clothes signify the hardships and deprivation of rural life in 19th-century Russia. The simple wooden crosses and absence of adult figures amplify the children’s vulnerability and solitude. The boy kneels, head bowed, while the younger child stands behind, evoking a quiet, understated grief. This restrained display of sorrow, typical of Kasatkin’s work, focuses on the dignity and endurance of ordinary people amidst hardship.

🤔 Why It Matters Today: Orphaned remains relevant as a powerful depiction of childhood loss and the struggles of the underprivileged. Kasatkin’s commitment to social realism draws attention to the neglected and marginalized, resonating with contemporary audiences who grapple with similar issues of poverty and social inequality. The painting encourages empathy and a deeper understanding of the resilience required to endure loss, particularly for children in vulnerable circumstances.

09/06/2024

Actually there are two [psychoanalytic] frames: one that is suggested… and the other—that of the “ghost world” on which the patient (and the therapist) projects.

Lazar, Rina (2018) We Were the Future. Psychoanalytic Dialogues 28:512-519