Portrait of the Girl in a Ukrainian Dress 

Konstantin Makovsky painted this portrait of a woman in traditional Ukrainian dress in the late 19th or early 20th century, using oil on canvas. In this profile view, the woman's ornate headdress, embroidered blouse, and layered necklaces speak to a rich cultural heritage, one that Makovsky seems eager to preserve and celebrate. But what does it mean for a Russian artist to depict a Ukrainian subject with such care? Looking at the historical context, we know that Ukraine was then part of the Russian Empire, and Ukrainian culture was often suppressed. Was Makovsky making a statement about the importance of recognizing and respecting cultural differences within the Empire? Or was he simply capitalizing on the popular interest in "exotic" cultures? These are the kinds of questions a social art historian asks. We examine exhibition records, literature, and political documents to better understand the complex relationship between art and society. The more we know, the more richly we can interpret the art that survives.