Exile – right section of the triptych

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I'm so excited to show you a really cool painting today! It's called "Exile," and it's like a little window into the past. It was painted a long, long time ago, in 1909, by a famous Polish artist named Jacek Malczewski. nn

Can anyone tell me what year it was painted? Yes, that's right, 1909! nn

This painting is only a part of a bigger picture, like a puzzle piece. Imagine a bigger picture made of three parts – this is just one of them! It shows a soldier sitting all alone. He looks a little sad, doesn't he? nn

What do you think he's feeling? Maybe lonely? Sad? Tired? nn

Look closely at the soldier. He's wearing a brownish-grey coat. See the number "09" on it? That tells us something about where he was in the army. He's sitting at a small table. There's a little bit of food – some fish and a drink. It doesn't look like a big feast, does it? nn

What kind of food do you see on the table? Do you think he has a lot of food? nn

The colors in the painting are mostly browns, greys, and blues. They're not bright and cheerful colors, are they? They make the painting feel a little bit quiet and maybe a little sad. The artist used soft light, so there aren't any harsh shadows. It makes the painting feel peaceful, but also a little lonely. nn

What colors do you see the most in the painting? Do they make you feel happy or sad? nn

This painting isn't just a picture of a soldier. It tells us a story about a time long ago, when there were wars and people had to leave their homes. It shows us how a soldier might feel – maybe lonely, maybe sad, but also strong and brave. The artist wanted us to think about what it's like to be far away from home and miss your family and friends. nn

What do you think it would feel like to be far away from your family and friends? nn

So, next time you look at a painting, remember that it can tell a story, just like a book! This painting, "Exile," is a story about a soldier, his feelings, and a time long ago. It's a very important piece of art, and I hope you enjoyed learning about it! Are there any questions?