The Breadwinner 1957 - 1961

Anatoli Lvovich Kaplan’s 1957-1961 lithograph, “The Breadwinner”, depicts a horse in a dark, shadowy space, possibly a stable, with several chickens in the foreground. The horse’s form is drawn in a rough, gestural manner with a prominent use of black and white. The dark background emphasizes the horse’s form and gives the image a sense of isolation and loneliness. Kaplan is known for his poignant depictions of everyday life, reflecting the hardships of post-war society. This artwork offers insight into the social and economic conditions of the time, reflecting the reliance on animal labor and the struggle for sustenance.