Difficult Negotiations 1883

Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky made this oil-on-canvas painting, Difficult Negotiations, sometime in the 19th century. It depicts a group of men in what looks like a tense diplomatic situation. Makovsky was a Russian painter and his work often reflects an interest in historical subjects. To understand this image, it’s crucial to consider the cultural context in which it was produced, particularly Russia's relationship with the West and the prevailing social and political ideologies of the time. The painting's setting, attire, and the very act of negotiation all speak to power dynamics between different social groups. The artist is inviting us to reflect on the institutions of diplomacy and monarchy, and also perhaps to subtly critique them. In understanding the cultural and institutional context of artworks, historians draw from a wide range of resources: letters, archives, publications, and much more. The meaning of art is contingent on its social context.