Who painted Les trois copains?

Les trois copains was painted by Tadeusz Makowski in 1929.

Where can I see Les trois copains?

Les trois copains is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Les trois copains?

Les trois copains is associated with Surrealism.

Can I buy a print of Les trois copains?

Museum-quality prints of Les trois copains are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Les trois copains

Tadeusz Makowski , 1929

Les trois copains is an oil painting by the Surrealist artist Tadeusz Makowski. It dates from 1929 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1929 by Polish-born painter Tadeusz Makowski, *Les trois copains* is an oil on canvas now part of the Statens Museum for Kunst collection. The work aligns with the surrealist tendencies of the School of Paris, presenting a quiet, dreamlike scene rendered in a limited palette of gray and white tones.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features three seated men, each wearing a hat and characterized by exaggerated noses. The figure on the right holds an accordion, while two glasses rest on a table before them, suggesting a moment of informal gathering. The stylized rendering and muted colors evoke a sense of quiet intimacy and subtle humor.

Technique & Style

Makowski employs thick, textured brushstrokes that give the surface a palpable relief, especially in the areas of clothing and the accordion. The limited monochrome palette emphasizes form over color, while the oil medium allows for smooth transitions and a soft, atmospheric quality typical of his surrealist approach.

History & Provenance

After its completion in 1929, the painting entered the holdings of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Makowski, active in France during the interwar period, contributed to the broader School of Paris, and this work reflects his engagement with surrealist aesthetics during that era.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Tadeusz Makowski

Tadeusz Józef Makowski (29 January 1882, Oświęcim – 1 November 1932, Paris) was a Polish painter who worked in France and was associated with the School of Paris.