Expert: Jeni Andrews-Fraser - 4/29/2007

Question
I was wondering why the bride in the gorgeous painting "The Russian Bride's Attire" looked very unhappy?  

Answer
Hello Dee - and thank you for your question.  Looking at Makovsky's paintings as a whole - not many of his female characters look particularly happy.  Perhaps the artist preferred 'his' women this way .. or perhaps it's more a reflection of the times.  This kind of painting is akin to European Romanticism - there's a fairly gloomy air to many of those paintings too (which have as their over-riding theme 'man's insignificance in the face of God/Nature').  Marriages would, almost certainly, have been arranged and alliances (political, territorial, etc.) would have been forged through advantageous marriage.  I don't think she looks particularly sad - perhaps more dreamily wistful?  I am pleased you like the painting so much - perhaps it would enhance your appreciation to research Russian painting of the late 19th-early 20th centuries to see how Makovsky 'fits' into his time and place.  Enjoy!