Dziecko w pelerynce 1927

Tadeusz Makowski made this painting, *Dziecko w pelerynce*, with oil on canvas. The paint is thinly applied with a limited palette; earthy browns and reds give it a warm, antique feel. It's as if Makowski is reaching back in time to find this child. Look at the kid's face. It’s kind of scrubbed-out, like the paint was wiped away repeatedly. I wonder if Makowski struggled to capture the fleeting innocence of childhood? The surface looks scrubbed in parts and then built up in others, it’s hard to tell. The red cap is the most vibrant element, drawing our eye and adding a touch of playfulness. Perhaps it represents the child's spirit, standing out against the muted tones of the world around them. The cape’s simple form and muted color feel protective, enveloping the child in a sense of safety. Paintings like this remind me that art is just a conversation, artists are always speaking to each other across the ages, inspiring new ways of seeing.