Farmhouse in Keranquernat 1917

Tadeusz Makowski's painting captures a rural scene, perhaps painted during one of his extended stays in Brittany, France. Makowski, a Polish artist who lived from 1882 to 1932, spent much of his career in Paris, absorbing the influences of modern art while remaining deeply connected to his cultural roots. Here, we see peasants engaged in labor, their traditional clothing marking them as figures closely tied to the land. The setting appears idyllic, yet it also speaks to the socio-economic realities of rural life in the early 20th century. In the past, Makowski said, "I was also a village boy." This reflection makes me think about the identities of the people depicted – are they romanticized or realistically portrayed? Makowski's style avoids the extremes of avant-garde movements, blending elements of Post-Impressionism with a nostalgic gaze upon the past. The artwork invites us to consider the emotional and personal narratives embedded in the landscape and the labor of its inhabitants. It reminds us of the complex interplay between identity, place, and the socio-economic forces shaping our lives.