The painting depicts an urban scavenger, leaning on a stick, surrounded by a dark

lake. On the lake, a small rowing boat drifts. In the background, mountains rise up to the moon like a representation of death with the yellow and black sky (Dias, 2018). To the right of the painting, we see hints of red as if the scavenger was trying to escape something like a fire.

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With her use of large, simplified shapes and colour contrasts, Werefkin's ongoing

interest in expressionism is showcased. The way that the mountains seemed to be moving like human bodies indicates Werefkin's belief in the spiritual realm that lay beyond physical reality, or her fascination with "the intangible, the invisible, the inaudible". In this case, the

painting revealed the supernatural force of the landscape (Dias 2018). 

 

The rag-and-bone man seemed to be rather skeletal, with one of his legs bent in a

broken manner. This could be Werefkin's way of expressing concern for the isolation and hardship of the poor city-dweller, while also suggesting the aftermath of war. The man seems to be not only physically broken but the environment around him seem to be us viewing from his perspective. His back is turned to the redness behind him, which could be seen as him turning from the war as red is associated with bloodshed, violence, anger. The entire painting has a dark feel to it, with him leaving the murky lake and the lack of brightness in the sky. The hints of yellow and red aside, we are greeted with all dark colours. Similar to the perspectives of people who suffer from Post-traumatic stress disorder (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2018), like those who took part in the war. The looming mountains who look like death seem to be a threat to his mentality, like the lives he took in the war are coming back to haunt him. Their vast size seems to be overpowering him in his perspective, slowly consuming the yellow, a colour associated with happiness.