Self Portrait in Ukrainian Costume 1946

Tetyana Yablonska’s painted this self portrait sometime in the 20th century. It’s full of warm browns and reds. I think about Yablonska, in front of the mirror, trying to really see herself. Trying to get at something deeper than just her reflection. She’s wearing a traditional Ukrainian costume, the colors are so vibrant, especially against the muted background and plain white shirt. Look at the headscarf – it’s a riot of blues and reds and creams. It reminds me of Matisse and his love of pattern! What was she thinking when she made this? What kind of back-and-forth was happening between her, the mirror, and the canvas? I see a lot of searching in the way she’s built up the paint. There's a real push-and-pull, a sense of her trying to capture something elusive. That’s what all artists do, right? We’re all just trying to figure things out, one brushstroke at a time.