Collage 289

"The men remained at the table over the port, English style. In the middle of the conversation that started up about Napoleon's Spanish campaign, of which they all held the same approving opinion, Prince Andrei began to contradict them. Speransky smiled and, obviously trying to divert the conversation from the direction it had taken, told an anecdote that had no relation to it. They all fell silent for several moments. Having sat at the table for a while, Speransky corked the wine bottle and saying: 'Good wine costs a pretty penny these days,' handed it to the servant and got up. They all got up and with the same noisy talk went to the drawing room."

- pp. 465 in P/V

This collage is my interpretation of the atmosphere I imagine surrounds these men. After dinner, it is black as night outside and the candles are burning as they sit on upholstered chairs and discuss political matters.

-Emma

Emma Rhodes
from page 585-586 of original text
collage, acrylic paint
made 10/29/10
page 465-466 Pevear/Volokhonsky translation