Grigory Vasiliev (Vasiliev is his real surname) was born in 1823 and was a serf of landowner Nikolai Milyukov. He lived in Ostrovki estate and worked as a gardener. As a child, he received a nickname Soroka which later became his surname. Soroka was self-taught but rather talented — his talent was noticed by Milyukov’s neighbor, famous artist Alexey Venetsianov.

Having heavily got over his teacher’s death in the same year, Soroka came back to his native village and took up portrait and icon painting.

‘Woman with Child’ from museum funds belongs to this period. Despite the small size of the painting, all the details were made thoroughly and with great attention. At the same time, its realism goes with the features of naive art: details are traced on all plans, including the background where clarity should be reduced as well as sharp borders of objects.

Soroka’s creativity was characterized by contemplation, clarity and regularity of the composition and allegoric details. For example, a child is holding an apple in his hands, which is considered the fruit of the Tree of the knowledge and a symbol of the Fall.

There are only few Soroka’s works known to art critics. He used to paint portraits and interiors but he was extremely good at nature painting. His life ended tragically: he committed suicide after being sentenced to corporal punishment due to a lawsuit with his former owner Milyukov.