The Collapse of a Bank 1881

Vladimir Makovsky painted "The Collapse of a Bank" using oil on canvas. The choice of oil paint, a traditional medium, allows for the rich depiction of details and the somber mood. Makovsky’s application of paint, with visible brushstrokes, captures the raw emotion of the scene. The artist has applied thin glazes of browns and greys to add depth and texture to the surface. He skillfully renders the distraught faces and varied textures of clothing, from the rough fabrics of the working class to the finer garments of the more affluent. This attention to materiality emphasizes the social and economic disparities within the crowd. The act of painting itself becomes a commentary on the social unrest caused by the bank's failure. Makovsky transforms the canvas into a mirror reflecting the anxieties of a society grappling with economic instability. Ultimately, the painting reminds us that art is not just about aesthetics. It's also about the stories of labor, capital, and the human condition that are woven into the very fabric of our world.