Stogi 1931

Editor: This is Tadeusz Makowski’s “Stogi,” painted in 1931 using oil paints. It feels…deceptively simple, almost childlike. But there's a certain warmth in the color palette. What symbols or deeper meanings do you see here? Curator: Notice how the forms are simplified, almost abstracted. Yet, they represent recognizable elements of rural life. That large, dark shape on the left – it’s grounding, weighty. The smaller house is obviously man-made. What is interesting is the juxtaposition. Editor: So, you are seeing a story about contrasting shapes and texture, between the natural versus human-made objects? Curator: Exactly! Makowski, throughout his career, explored the idea of innocence and authenticity, particularly through the lens of childhood. This almost naive representation can signify a return to simpler values. The stooks of hay may signify not just sustenance but the comforting predictability of the agricultural cycle. The symbols speak to themes of the connection to the earth, security, and continuity of traditions. Even the color is important. Note how each individual shade connects the whole of the painting in different forms, representing a community in harmony, working as one, almost an ecosystem in balance. Editor: That makes sense, because the simple construction of these buildings contrasted against nature creates a kind of symbolic harmony, that everything in this frame is unified together! Curator: It does! Considering Makowski's personal struggles with isolation later in his life, "Stogi" can be interpreted as his yearning for a connection to a more stable and comforting world, maybe a collective one. Editor: This makes me appreciate Makowski's intentional use of accessible imagery to convey deep emotional significance. Curator: Absolutely!