Dmitri the Pretender's agents murder the Son of Boris Godunov 1862

Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky painted this scene using oil on canvas, a traditional medium for history painting. Note how the artist’s technique builds up the scene with layers, creating depth and drama. The rich colours and textures, particularly in the clothing and the ornate interior, add to the intensity of the moment. Makovsky uses a dynamic brushstroke to enhance the chaos and violence of the depicted regicide. The artist would have employed brushes of various sizes, blending and layering the paint to achieve the realistic effects, particularly the rendering of light and shadow. The creation of such a large-scale, detailed painting involved significant time and resources. Beyond his technical skill, Makovsky’s choices reflect an understanding of how materials can convey emotional and historical narratives, raising questions about the social and political context of art production, and the labor invested in creating such powerful images.