Date 1883

Vladimir Makovsky painted this small oil on canvas, now displayed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, in the late nineteenth century. It depicts a mother and child sharing a meagre meal. Made in Russia, this intimate scene speaks volumes about the social conditions of the time, with its stark portrayal of peasant life. Notice the bare feet of the child, the simple clothes and the dark interior, all suggesting poverty and hardship. Makovsky was known for his genre paintings that often highlighted the inequalities and struggles of the lower classes. This work aligns with the broader Realist movement in Russian art, which sought to depict everyday life without idealization. Art historians rely on various resources such as archival documents, social histories, and critical analyses to better understand the social and institutional contexts that influenced artworks like this one. By considering these factors, we can better appreciate how art reflects and comments on the realities of its time.