Portrait of Natasha Lancere with a cat 1924

Zinaida Serebriakova made this portrait of Natasha Lancere with a cat using pastel on paper. The pastel has been applied in soft strokes, capturing the light and shadow on the girl's face and the cat's fur. I can imagine Serebriakova gently layering the colors, building up the forms with delicate touches. It feels like a dance between control and letting go, each stroke guided by intuition and observation. She probably stood back, squinting at her subject, trying to capture the essence of their being. There's a real tenderness in the way she portrays Natasha and her feline friend, a sense of connection and affection that comes through in the subtle details. The girl's simple striped shirt is so striking. It reminds me a little bit of Berthe Morisot. Artists look at other artists. They influence each other through time.