My life – central section of the triptych 1911 - 1912

Jacek Malczewski painted "My Life - Central Section of the Triptych" with oil on canvas, presenting a scene of apparent domesticity. The composition centres on an older gentleman meticulously cleaning glasses, set against a backdrop of a figure seated behind him, and a dog perched on a chair. The muted palette and the somewhat claustrophobic interior invite introspection, the artist employing a structural arrangement that is far from accidental. The formal repetition of vertical lines—seen in the coats in the background and the figure's posture—creates a visual rhythm, almost like a symbolic enclosure. The space feels dense, weighed down by unspoken narratives and a sense of historical consciousness. Malczewski seems to be playing with notions of visibility and concealment, prompting viewers to ponder what is brought to light and what remains hidden. The act of cleaning, the arrangement of figures, the visual textures, all suggest a deeper, more complex structure beneath the surface. What meanings are concealed, and what new perceptions might emerge from these layers?