This evocative painting presents a haunting scene of a fallen animal lying lifeless at the edge of a shadowy forest, with a stark, geometric modern building looming in the distant background. At first glance, the work seems to transport viewers back to the world of old master paintings—a serene moment of nature, meticulously rendered and evocative of a time when landscapes symbolized harmony and life. However, this illusion is shattered by the presence of the industrial structure in the background, which transforms the scene into a powerful commentary on modernity.

The geometric building, a faceless warehouse of capitalism, trade, and consumption, redefines the narrative. The natural moment no longer captures the “beauty of the wild” but instead reflects the rule of modern capitalism, where the stronger overcomes the weaker, and insatiable hunger dominates. Podgórski questions the rules of today’s world—the rules of the game—and asks how we can restore balance, values, and humanity to our collective existence. He envisions a world where the painting could once again represent a moment of contemplated, still nature, rather than a critique of its destruction. By reframing the old master aesthetic, Podgórski invites viewers to imagine how harmony could be reclaimed and preserved.

Malwina Łuczyńska