Collioure. A street with arch 1930

Zinaida Serebriakova made this watercolor painting, "Collioure. A street with arch" during her time in France. This tranquil scene offers a glimpse into daily life within a small town in the south of France. Serebriakova captures the intimate atmosphere of a quiet street. She skillfully uses light and shadow to convey the warm climate and the architecture. Note the sign for Byrrh, a popular French aperitif. This detail not only situates the image geographically, but also hints at the cultural importance of food and drink in French social life. Serebriakova was part of the Russian artistic diaspora after the Revolution of 1917. Her choice to depict scenes of everyday life in France reflects a desire to find beauty in the ordinary. Her paintings are a contrast to the grand narratives of the old regimes, whether tsarist or Soviet. To delve deeper into Serebriakova's work, look to letters, diaries, and exhibition catalogs. By situating her art within its historical and cultural context, we can better appreciate its rich layers of meaning.