Miser 1931

Editor: Tadeusz Makowski's "Miser," painted in 1931 with oil paints, offers a curious scene, doesn’t it? I get the impression that something a bit wicked is at play. What's your initial interpretation? Curator: Wicked indeed, like a child's dream, where familiar toys lead to uncanny narratives! Makowski offers a space where caricature flirts with cubism, challenging our expectations. Look at the geometry, those sharp noses juxtaposed with rounded faces... it's both playful and a touch unsettling, isn’t it? Editor: I see what you mean about unsettling. What do you make of their expressions? They all seem a little… blank? Curator: Blankness can be incredibly expressive, my friend. Perhaps it mirrors a miser's detachment, that emotional hollowness behind the pursuit of earthly treasure. And see how the color palette seems muted, almost drab, intensifying the focus on these figures. It's as though the artist intentionally drained the lifeblood from the scene, mirroring the emotional poverty of greed. What do *you* feel as you look at this strange company? Editor: Hmm… it definitely evokes a sense of artificiality. Like everything is staged. The puppets... their weird faces. And you’re right, the lack of bright color adds to the discomfort. But I’m still struggling to find the specific emotional core of it. Curator: Perhaps the "specific" emotion is precisely what Makowski wanted us to search for! To create a certain feeling and open a door. Don't be afraid to lean into the ambiguity, into that uncertain emotional space. What have you gathered about Makowski's way of thinking, and portraying his characters and intentions? Editor: This reminds me how complex emotions can be. Not always so easy to pin them down! It certainly isn't what I first assumed! Thanks for sharing that lens, because you changed my mind to a more complicated but ultimately interesting way to interpret the work. Curator: Ah, to plant a tiny seed of change is a beautiful thing, my friend! Keep looking, keep wondering, and may art always lead you on the winding road to yourself!