Katya still life 1923

Zinaida Serebriakova made this painting, Katya Still Life, with oils on canvas, and it's like she's showing us a slice of life, not just arranging objects. The way she builds up the paint, it's not about hiding the brushstrokes or smoothing everything out. You can really see the process, how she's layering colors and shapes to create this scene. Look at the fish, for instance. The scales aren't perfect, but the colors blend and move like they're alive, fresh from the river. The whole painting has this tactile feel. I mean, you can almost smell the earthy vegetables and feel the cool scales of the fish. Then there's that girl, Katya, with her half-peeled apple. It's like Serebriakova is inviting us to step into this intimate moment. Maybe it's a bit like the work of Berthe Morisot, who also painted women in everyday settings. Both artists show us that art is not just about grand gestures, it’s about noticing the beauty in the simple things.