Ship in a city 1920

Tadeusz Makowski created this painting, "Ship in a City," using oil on canvas. The brushstrokes are thick and visible, giving the scene a textured, almost tactile quality. Looking closely, you'll notice how the materiality of the paint itself contributes to the artwork’s story. The buildings, rendered in muted tones, contrast with the vibrant colors of the ship, immediately drawing your eye. The way Makowski applies the paint, particularly in the water, creates a sense of movement and reflects the influence of industrialization and trade on urban life. The visible brushwork and the slightly crude rendering are not accidental. Makowski seems to be referencing not just the city itself, but also the labor that built it, and the craft involved in creating the painting. He challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and everyday life. By paying attention to the materials and how they're used, we can understand the full significance of this work, and its commentary on modern life.