Bather 1911

Zinaida Serebriakova painted this “Bather” with oils, and you can tell she really thought about the materiality of the paint. The way she builds up colour is incredible. Up close, you can see the delicate, thin layers of paint she used to create the woman’s flesh tones and how it contrasts with the thicker, more opaque strokes describing the white drapery. I love the way the cloth appears to have a life of its own, how the artist is able to convey the fall of the fabric so convincingly. It's almost like a dialogue between control and letting go. This contrast is the picture, right? The way she handles the light and shadow, especially on the figure's skin, is so subtle and convincing. It reminds me a little of Renoir, who also had a knack for capturing the softness and warmth of the human body. But Serebriakova brings her own sensibility to it. Art is such a cool conversation across time.