Peasant children 1890

Vladimir Makovsky painted "Peasant Children" in Russia, likely in the late 19th century. It depicts a group of children gathered around an older woman outside a simple, thatched-roof dwelling. The scene exudes a sense of rural simplicity. But beyond its surface charm, the painting offers insight into the social fabric of the time. Makovsky was a member of the "Peredvizhniki," or "Wanderers," a group of Russian realist artists who rejected academic conventions. They sought to portray the lives of ordinary people. Here, he shows the importance of family and community in peasant life, the older woman likely passing down traditional skills like spinning to the younger generation. The painting might also be read as a subtle commentary on social inequalities in Tsarist Russia. By focusing on the lives of peasants, the Wanderers challenged the dominance of the aristocracy in art and culture. Researching exhibition records and the group's manifestos can help us to understand it even better. Art becomes a mirror reflecting the complexities of Russian society.