Girl with a yoke 1874

"Girl with a Yoke" (1874) by Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky (1839-1915) depicts a young woman, likely a peasant, in a rural setting. She is dressed in traditional clothing and wears a yoke, a wooden frame used to carry heavy objects, signifying her daily labor. The composition emphasizes the woman's figure, highlighting her grace amidst the natural landscape. Makovsky's use of light and color contributes to the painting's idealized portrayal of peasant life, reflecting the Romantic and realist trends of the time. This work is representative of Makovsky's focus on the lives of everyday people, particularly those from the Russian countryside.