The Collapse of a Bank (study) 1880

"The Collapse of a Bank (study)" is a painting by Vladimir Makovsky, completed in 1880. It portrays a scene of panic and chaos within a bank, as a crowd of people, mostly women and children, throng the interior. The painting offers a glimpse into the anxieties of 19th-century Russia, where financial instability and social unrest were prevalent themes. The artist's realistic depiction of the scene evokes a sense of urgency and desperation, highlighting the vulnerability of the common people. The painting's composition and the use of light and shadow effectively capture the atmosphere of anxiety and fear, making it a compelling example of social realism in Russian art.