Here is a twee collection of paintings by various Russian artists picturing breakfast time in Russia of different periods, from 1918 throughout to late 1970s. It provides some insights into an everyday life of simple people and their meals on the go, before work, very low key and casual.
Still life: Morning. By Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin, 1918. Just like anywhere else in the world, eggs are popular and the dog is hungry.
Just like many, Russians liked their eggs, bread and sausages - a hearty start of the day. The brass item pictured is samovar - a metal water boiler which has been around for centuries. These samovars have always been popular as part of tea making process - even nowadays you can find a moderninsed version of one in almost every house. It is also a popular wedding gift and a traditional Russian souvenir, as it symbolises hospitality and qulaity family time.
- Still life: bread, eggs and a teapot; by Nicholas Kalmykov. 1958.
Apparently there is a concept of Russian Tea that exists in the West: strongly brewed black tea with a wheel of lemon and generous amounts of sugar. This sweet and sour concoction is indeed popular in Russia, however, nobody calls it "Russian tea". Just tea with lemon.
Tea party; by Popova. 1966.
A cup of coffee; by Elena Shumakova.Can't go wrong with cheese and pastries!
In summer there were healthier alternatives available: freshly picked strawberries and cream in a jug would be enjoyed just like anywhere else in the world. Please note the fine lace of the tablecloth - very popular in Russia of all times.
Berries and Cream; by Elena Shumakova, 1983
Another country life illustration; please note a slighly different shape of the samovar. Also - bagels, extremely popular Russian wheat snack. Sugar cubes, a frequent substitute for regular sugar, which was hard to buy at times. A traditional tea glass, with an iron glass holder, an icon of those times and a well sought after collectable item now.
Still Life: Samovar; by Elena Shumakova.
On the terrace; by Zhukovsky.Neat!
Naturemort: five eyed fried eggs; by Osmerkin, 1950.
Another model of samovar and a more common breakfast altogether: eggs, butter, bread.
Morning Tea and Flowers; by Grabar; 1939.
To finish off, a few paintings which do not exactly picture breakfast times, but still appear very Russian and full of ambience.
February; by A. Laktionov, 1956.
Alcohol-inspired paintings tend to have lots of zest for life, too.
Still life: a Teapot on the Table; by P. Konchalovsky. 1946.
Still life, name and year unknown, by Elena Shumakova.
Country Life (name of paper), by Bobrov. 1983.
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