Portrait of the Artist D. Bushena 1922

Zinaida Serebriakova made this intriguing portrait of the artist D. Bushena, using what looks like pastel and charcoal. Serebriakova was a member of the Russian artistic dynasty, the Benois family. Being a woman artist in the early 20th century, she faced unique challenges in a male-dominated art world, though her family connections helped her get established. Here, Bushena is formally dressed with a bow tie and suit jacket. His direct gaze creates an intimate connection with us. The decision to depict a male artist in a moment of poised self-awareness is a fascinating gender dynamic, that challenges traditional representations of male artists as figures of power and genius. The way he holds what might be shoes, is a curious attribute that begs the question: What did Bushena mean to Serebriakova? What was his relationship to art and the artist? The way Serebriakova has captured Bushena, invites us to reflect on the personal relationship between the artists, and the broader role of portraiture in negotiating identities.