The artist is Semiradsky
The plot of the picture was the gospel story of how, teaching the people, Christ reached Bethany, located near Jerusalem. In Bethany, he was accepted into her house by a woman named Martha, who had brother Lazar and sister Maria. In the house of Lazarus, Christ said that the concern for the salvation of the soul is above all other concerns. Both sisters – Martha and Maria – met Christ with the same joy. Maria sat at the feet of the Savior and listened to his teaching. Martha took care of a large treat. Noticing that the sister is not involved in her concerns, Martha approached Christ with the words: "God! Or you have no need that my sister left me alone to serve me? Tell her to help me". To which Christ answered: "Martha! Martha! You care and fuss about a lot. Maria chose a good part that will never take her from her". I wrote a picture for a similar plot and in. D. Polenov.