Portrait of a Peasant Woman 1910

This is 'Portrait of a Peasant Woman' by Zinaida Serebriakova, painted in an unknown year with oil. Notice how Serebriakova uses a muted palette, primarily of whites, reds, and blacks, which gives the portrait a soft, dreamlike quality. The subject's features are gently modeled, with a focus on the play of light and shadow across her face. The composition is simple, with the peasant woman centrally placed, her gaze slightly averted, lending an air of introspection. Serebriakova’s rendering of the peasant woman invokes a sense of timelessness. The artist captures an intimate moment, depicting her subject with both respect and a clear-eyed realism. This artwork challenges traditional portraiture, inviting viewers to contemplate the human condition beyond superficial likeness. Note the visible brushstrokes and texture, these tactile qualities invite us to reflect on the act of painting itself, reminding us that art is always a constructed reality.