Who painted Bourgeois swines?

Bourgeois swines was painted by Amshey Nurenberg in 1929.

Where can I see Bourgeois swines?

Bourgeois swines is held by Tretyakov Gallery.

What movement is Bourgeois swines?

Bourgeois swines is associated with Social Realism.

Artwork

Bourgeois swines

Amshey Nurenberg , 1929

Bourgeois swines is an oil painting by the Social Realist artist Amshey Nurenberg. It dates from 1929 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.

About this work

Overview

The work presents a bustling street scene populated by figures in varied clothing, some with hats, others carrying objects, engaged in animated conversation.

Created in 1929, Bourgeois Swines is an oil painting by Amshey Nurenberg that resides in Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery. The work presents a bustling street scene populated by figures in varied clothing, some with hats, others carrying objects, engaged in animated conversation. Central to the composition are a man in a white shirt and a woman in a yellow dress, whose gestures draw the viewer’s attention amid the surrounding crowd.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas offers a satirical commentary on middle‑class society, portraying its participants with a hint of irony that aligns with the social‑realist agenda of the period. By highlighting the frivolity and superficiality of the gathered figures, Nurenberg critiques the values of the bourgeois milieu, using everyday interaction to underscore broader socio‑political concerns.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs layered brushwork that creates a sense of depth and tactile surface. Nurenberg’s handling of light and shadow recalls chiaroscuro, giving volume to the figures while maintaining a lively, almost theatrical atmosphere. The stylistic blend reflects his background in avant‑garde experimentation and later turn toward realist representation, echoing influences from the School of Paris.

History & Provenance

Born in Ukraine and later active within the Soviet artistic sphere, Nurenberg navigated multiple artistic currents throughout his career. Bourgeois Swines emerged during a period when he was integrating social‑realist themes into his oeuvre. The painting entered the Tretyakov Gallery’s collection, where it remains a documented example of his engagement with political satire and the visual language of early Soviet art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Amshey Nurenberg

Amshey Markovich Nurenberg (Russian: Амшей Маркович Нюренберг; April 17, 1887 – 10 January 1979) was a Ukrainian, Russian and Soviet painter, graphic artist, art critic, and memoirist.