When Vodkin finished “Boys” it was instantly compared with “Dance” (1910) by Matisse. What are the differences between the two? Dance is a group dance, a ritual dance. The symbolism of a group dance represents the idea of cycles. It can also be associated with the cycle of life, an ever-repeating circle. Dance of life. In Boys, one is blond, the other is brunet. We don't know what the left boy is holding in his hand while the other boy is falling down. It can be interpreted as a fight, win or lose. What is pictured in the painting is a swastika. A fight between 2 forces, one is winning while the other one is losing. The brunet can also represent night and blond can represent day. Apollo and Dionysus – 2 forces of the universe – dark (negative), light (positive). For Vodkin it was about consciousness as his background has symbolism in it. (http://semioart.livejournal.com/359530.html)