Making jam 1876

Vladimir Makovsky painted this small canvas of an elderly couple making jam sometime in the late nineteenth century. We see here a nostalgic image of rural life in Russia; the figures seem to exist outside the forces of modernity that were beginning to transform the country at this time. Makovsky’s paintings often touched on themes of social justice and he was a member of the Peredvizhniki movement, also known as the Wanderers. This group of Russian realist artists aimed to depict the everyday life of the peasantry and critique social inequalities. However, here we see no obvious social critique. Instead, we are presented with a sentimental, idealized image of domesticity. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. We might note the careful rendering of textures and light, contributing to a sense of authenticity and realism. The composition, with its focus on the couple's activity and the surrounding nature, evokes a sense of harmony and tranquility. Art historians often use archival materials, such as letters and exhibition reviews, to better understand the social context of artworks like this. These sources can reveal the artist's intentions, the reception of the work by contemporary audiences, and its place within broader cultural and political debates. Ultimately, this helps us to see art as something contingent on its social and institutional context.