Double Ewka with Double Zośka 

Iwo Zaniewski painted “Double Ewka with Double Zośka” to invite viewers into an intimate, though somewhat enigmatic, domestic scene. Zaniewski, born in 1956, grew up in Poland during the Cold War; his work often reflects the socio-political realities of his time, filtered through personal narrative. Here, we see two women draped in white cloth. One sits contemplatively, while the other embraces a child as they both gaze out of the window. Zaniewski creates a tableau vivant, reminiscent of classical paintings while subverting traditional representation. These women aren't goddesses or allegorical figures, they're everyday people inhabiting an interior space filled with richly patterned textiles and furniture. Notice how the title emphasizes a doubling, perhaps suggesting the multiple roles women play—mother, partner, individual. There’s an undeniable sensuality in the soft draping of fabric, the warm skin tones, yet it is tempered by the somber expressions of the subjects, hinting at the complexities inherent in domestic life. The painting becomes a study in contrasts, and ultimately invites us to reflect on our own positions within the larger framework of family, identity, and societal expectations.