Landlady 1886

Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky’s “Landlady” is painted with oils on canvas, a traditional medium reflecting the artist’s academic training. The brushwork is loose, yet the scene conveys a palpable sense of social hierarchy. The landlady, adorned in lace, is waited upon by a servant, who is carefully balancing a tray laden with refreshments. Consider the materiality of their clothing, the sheen of her silken dress compared to the servant’s plain black suit, evidence of social and economic differences. The artist’s focus on surface textures – the polished wood of the table, the soft fabric of the rug, the smooth porcelain of the tea cup – all speak to a culture of consumption and labor. The painting quietly presents the landlady’s privilege, made possible by the unseen labor required to maintain her lifestyle. Ultimately, “Landlady” prompts us to consider the relationship between material culture, class, and the often-invisible work that underpins domestic comfort.