Sobotki 

Ferdynand Ruszczyc created this dramatic painting, Sobotki, with oil paints on canvas. The thick application of paint and visible brushstrokes contribute to its moody atmosphere, full of mystery. Ruszczyc employed a skillful technique known as chiaroscuro, using stark contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of drama and depth. Look closely at the way the artist layers the paint to build up texture. The sweeping brushstrokes used to depict the landscape create movement and energy, drawing the viewer into the scene. Sobotki is a midsummer folk festival, and you can feel the energy and excitement of the revelers through the artist's skillful use of materials. The painting is not just a representation of a scene, but an embodiment of cultural traditions and human experience, reminding us that art is as much about process and context as it is about the final image.