Collage 533

A few days after Borodino, the Russian army has arrived in Moscow with the French close behind. The Rostovs have waited too long and now must pack their belongings and get out of the city as quickly as possible. Natasha takes charge of organizing the packing while outside the house confusion and panic spread through the city.

This collage attempts to evoke a window. The viewer is inside, while outside the city descends into chaos. The protection afforded by the Rostov’s home on Povarskaya Street is under threat too, of course, and the family must flee the city. But at this moment it is still their home, a trusted shelter in the storm around them. (See also Collage 137, August 1, 2010 on the role of homes in War and Peace.) -- Otto

Otto Mayr
from page 321-322, volume 2 of original text
collage, watercolor
made 6/28/11
Pevear/Volokhonsky translation page 861-863