Dziewczynka z rumianym policzkiem 1925

Tadeusz Makowski's "Dziewczynka z rumianym policzkiem" or "Girl with Rosy Cheeks" looks like it was made with love, using what looks like oil paint, in a very painterly way. Look at the way she emerges from the creamy background – the brushstrokes dance and play, especially on her rosy cheek! I imagine Makowski standing before the canvas, layering and blending, trying to capture something so elusive. What was it like to be him trying to capture this girl's essence? The paint is applied with such tenderness; you can almost feel his hand moving across the canvas. Those black and floral squares on her clothes – they are like little notes or doodles! It's interesting to consider Makowski’s place among other painters. There is a shared understanding of light, color, and form, but also a very personal, intuitive approach to art. Each artist is constantly referencing and responding to those who came before, adding their unique voice to the conversation. Painting is an embodied expression! The girl is in a state of becoming.