Listening to the Gramophone 1910

Vladimir Makovsky painted "Listening to the Gramophone" sometime in the late 19th century using oil on canvas. Note how Makovsky frames the subjects within an ornate domestic interior, drawing the eye through a structured arrangement of figures and objects. The painting's composition divides into distinct zones of activity and observation. On the left, a woman operates the gramophone, the device itself depicted with careful attention to its form. Adjacent to her, children listen intently, their postures conveying a sense of curiosity. To the right, two women sit, one appearing contemplative and the other observant, thus creating a layered tableau that invites the viewer to explore the social dynamics at play. Makovsky uses light and shadow to define forms and spaces, enhancing the painting's sense of depth. This contrast enlivens the scene, drawing attention to the different ways in which the figures engage with the new technology, making the work a rich document of its time.