The artist is Somov
The picture embodies a common circle of artists "World of art" Passion for culture of the XVIII century. The scene is not perceived as the real moment of the past, but rather as "A certain phantom", retrospective vision caused by the will of the artist. With the inherent admiration of the irrevocably departed world and at the same time with a shade of light irony, the artist depicts the first rink in the northern capital (he was near the Yusupovsky Palace) winter evening. Simple household "Drama".
Miniature subtlety of writing gives the work to exquisite graphic. The picture is very indicative for the artist’s work, imbued with nostalgia for the past and feature marked by features and ridicule.