Children 

Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky painted these ‘Children’ during the late 19th or early 20th century. Makovsky was a leading Russian painter, associated with the Peredvizhniki, a group of realist artists who depicted scenes of Russian life and history. In this painting, we see a group of children, their figures bathed in warm sunlight, sitting on the steps of what appears to be a porch. The clothing is indicative of the fashions and social structures of the time. The children are dressed in bright colors, surrounded by flowers and a lush, verdant setting. They are idealized, embodying a romanticized vision of childhood innocence. But who are these children? Are they his children or from a family of wealth that could afford the commissioning of a portrait? Makovsky's focus on domestic scenes and portraits of women and children reflects the values of the Russian upper class at the time. Through an emotional lens, he suggests the beauty and simplicity of everyday life. The painting is both a reflection of and a contribution to the cultural values of his time.