One of the most striking examples of critical realism in Russian painting of 1860th. In this painting, the artist attempts to draw attention of his contemporaries to the severe child exploitation and labor abuse. Choice of dull, nearly monochrome color intensifies depressing mood of the painting.

Along with earlier works, full of social criticism, condemnation of the injustice of Russian reality, during 1870th Perov creates simple household, hunting scenes.

Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky (1823-1886) - famous playwright. P. Tretyakov commissioned Perov to write this portrait for gallery "Russian writers, composers, and other figures of art". Perov painted this portrait at times when he searched for moral ideals.