Unequal marriage

The artist's work on the painting was based on a real event - the story of the unhappy love of his friend SM Pukirev. Varentsov, who was in love with a young bride from a poor family.
The artist tries to convey in the groom all the negative traits of an official, from whom he still breathes with something official, dry, prim. How sharp and unpleasant are the deep wrinkles of his long, callous, decrepit face!
On the groom's neck is the Order of the Cross of Vladimir II degree, and on the chest is the star corresponding to this order. He is full of consciousness of his own importance. Seeing the bride's tears, he did not even turn his head in her direction and, only squinting his eyes, in a whisper expresses his annoyance to her.
For more contrast, the artist painted a sweet face of a gentle, charming girl
Lowering her tear-stained eyes with her eyelids swollen with tears, without looking at the priest, she, almost exhausted, slowly, as if half asleep, not noticing that the candle, which she holds in her fallen hand, almost touches the flame of her dress, stretches out her other hand to the priest, so that he, with a heavy wedding ring, forever fetters her fate with this alien to her, unloved person.
Her beloved was given the role of best man at this wedding, a face that can be seen behind the bride. In another man, to the right of the bride, the features of the artist himself are guessed.