Maternity 1912

Tadeusz Makowski made this painting, Maternity, with oil on canvas. The subdued palette and visible brushstrokes really draw me in, it’s clear that Makowski wasn’t interested in hiding the evidence of the painting process. The texture of the paint is especially evident in the background, where blues, greys and greens are dabbed on with what looks like quite a dry brush. The muted colours give it a kind of intimacy, like we’re peering into a private moment. Notice how the shapes are simplified, almost like a child's drawing, yet it still conveys a deep sense of tenderness. The dark outlines add to this effect, grounding the scene and giving it a graphic quality. Looking at this painting, I am reminded of Paula Modersohn-Becker's portraits of mothers and children, both artists had a knack for capturing the emotional weight of everyday life with a kind of raw simplicity. Art is like a big conversation, isn’t it? Always echoing and riffing off what came before.