Flowers in the Window 

Konstantin Gorbatov painted ‘Flowers in the Window’ with oil on canvas. Gorbatov was a Russian artist, and the church in the background suggests this painting was made there. Russia's long history of icon painting and church building created enduring images of national identity. How might this connect to the way institutions such as museums, galleries, and schools shape the production and reception of art? Flowers, boats, and clouds are also visible in the painting. One might ask what the politics of imagery are when they are combined. Does this painting comment on the social structures of its own time? What historical events, social class, political movements, or economic structures might have influenced the artwork? To understand these questions, we need historical resources. We might consult books on Russian art history. By seeing art as contingent on its social and institutional context, we can better understand it.