Thes. Morocco 1932

Zinaida Serebriakova created this watercolor painting, Thes. Morocco, in 1932. The immediacy of watercolor allows for swift notation, and here, the warm hues and fluid brushstrokes evoke the Moroccan landscape. It’s like a visual diary entry, capturing a fleeting moment. Serebriakova’s application of watercolor is fairly transparent, layering washes of color to build up the forms of the buildings and the landscape. The ochres and siennas dominate, punctuated by the stark white of the buildings and the verdant greens of the palms. Look at how the brushstrokes dance and mingle, especially in the foreground, suggesting the reflection in the water. It’s a playful push and pull between representation and abstraction. This work reminds me of John Singer Sargent's travel paintings – both artists shared a knack for capturing the essence of a place through vibrant color and energetic mark-making. Art is always an ongoing conversation, isn't it?