Portrait of the Girl in a Russian Dress 

Konstantin Makovsky painted this portrait of a girl in a Russian dress in the late 19th or early 20th century. The opulence of her dress and headdress contrasts with the girl’s modest gaze and slightly flushed cheeks. Made during a time of increasing national self-awareness in Russia, this portrait evokes a romanticized image of old Russia, with an emphasis on traditional dress. This portrait speaks to a broader cultural interest in the past and its traditions, yet it begs the question: whose past is being represented? The sitter’s youth and beauty may also have been intended to promote a sense of optimism about Russia's future. As art historians, we might consult historical archives, fashion history, and studies of Russian nationalism to more fully understand the painting. The meaning of art is always contingent on the social conditions of its making.