Thursday, May 29, 2008

Russian Wisdom







"...there is more love of humanity in electricity and steam than in vegetarianism."


-Chekov, 1894

4 comments:

Jim T said...

Josh, just wanted to say, I love the quote!
jt

Yeoman said...

And I love the painting.

Any details on it?

Vicar(ious) said...

the guy telling the story is just about to hurl his hunting journal at his comrade's head. blunt force trauma.

Anonymous said...

I'm reading a book on Russian Culture called Natashia's Dance (Orlando Figes) and came across the Chekov quote and painting.

I fell in love with the quote and the painting (The Hunters at Rest, Vasily Perov, 1871 - I've put in an order for a framed print for my offfice). The painting was done at a time when Russian artists were focused on the "true" Russian spirit represented by the peasantry. Hunting was viewed by Perov as quite egalitarian, allowing aristocrats and peasants/serfs to interact as equals.

I hope one day, in some covert in Maine possibly, El Jefe will deign to treat me as an equal.

Until then, your humble peasant public servant,

Joshua