Montenegrin girl 1874

Vasily Polenov captured this striking portrait with oil on canvas. The smooth texture achieved with layers of paint evokes a sense of realism, typical of academic painting of the late 19th century. Polenov was part of the Russian Wanderers, a group of artists who focused on the lives of common people. In Montenegrin Girl, the woman's traditional clothing is painted with careful detail. But, if you look closely, the application of paint reveals that it was produced in the studio, not out in the field. This reminds us that the artist wasn't interested in a direct experience of labor but in representing it. Ultimately, Polenov's Montenegrin Girl prompts us to think about the making of art, as well as the cultural and social context that shaped the artist’s vision. The painting invites us to consider the relationship between the artist, their subject, and the world they both inhabit.