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Moving Us Closer To Osler
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Take a moment to look and wonder: what’s going on in this picture? (This is the first question of the Visual Thinking Strategies [VTS] method; to learn more about VTS, go to http://vtshome.org.)

Mykola Pymonenko, Kiev, Russian Empire. "Fortune-Telling on Christmastide." 1888. Oil on canvas. The State Russian Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia. Public Domain.

Takeaway

“I’m wondering about the beaded jewelry at the collar line, which contrasts with the simple apparel. Festive occasion? Ethnic dress? Ethnic as relating to a particular geographic location. Embroidery on sleeves, although faint, suggests Balkan region.”-Sarah Merwin, MPH, Columbia School of Public Health

Passion in the Medical Profession | March 25, 2022 | <1 min read

Highlights

Sarah Merwin, MPH, Columbia School of Public Health

I’m wondering about the beaded jewelry at the collar line, which contrasts with the simple apparel. Festive occasion? Ethnic dress? Ethnic as relating to a particular geographic location. Embroidery on sleeves, although faint, suggests Balkan region.

Dr. Daniel Thomas, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Two young people in festive dress, rustic setting, amusing themselves with creating shadows cast by the candle, which makes me think this is pre-electronic era.

What do you think?

Do you want to add to the conversation? Please share!

Dr. Colleen Christmas, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Two figures, appear to be young girls, both gazing in the direction of a shadow cast by the candle one figure is holding. They seem to be smiling, so it looks like they are playing.

Dr. Shannon Scott-Vernaglia, Mass General

Wonder! That is what speaks to me immediately about this painting. The young women’s expressions, especially the one on the left, their mouths and eyes seem to be curious and full of wonder. Light in darkness also seems wondrous to me. And the playfulness of the hand shadow reminds me of the wonder of children who always delight in such shadows.

Dr. Jeff Millstein, Penn Medicine

Children having fun with shadows.

Kimberly Williams, Admin Specialist, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Two grinning young ladies appear to be playing. Making shadows on the wall.

Dr. Meegan Berger

Two young women spending time together.

Dr. Scott Wright, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The two happy young people appear to be wearing similar clothing and the outfits look to be clean, semi-formal, and festive.