Summer 1910

Zinaida Serebriakova painted this landscape, Summer, probably with oils, and it’s really about the light, or lack of it, right? The sky is heavy with these muted purples and grays, casting a soft, diffused light over the whole scene. I love the way she's handled the water. It's not just a flat plane, but a surface alive with reflections and movement. You can see the brushstrokes, loose and gestural, creating a sense of depth and liquidity. Notice that clump of reeds in the foreground, each stroke is distinct, almost like individual blades dancing in the breeze. The color palette throughout is subdued, earth tones mingling with watery blues and greens. Serebriakova’s landscapes reminds me of Corot; the way she captures a fleeting moment, a mood. Both are interested in the atmospheric effects of light and shadow. But what I love most is her ability to find beauty in the ordinary, to make you see the world anew.