In the kitchen 1923

Zinaida Serebriakova seems to have made “In the kitchen” with paint, a young girl, and a whole lotta food. The muted palette, almost monochromatic in places, makes you focus on the scene. It’s very gentle and domestic, like a Degas, but in a Russian way. The paint application is so skillful, especially in rendering light. Look at the way the light bounces off the eggs, each one a tiny world of subtle color shifts. The brushwork is confident but not showy, creating a sense of calm and order. Then the fish are staring at you – how did they get there? I love the way the red beetroot stems jump around with a cartoon energy, contrasting with the stillness of the girl's face. It reminds me a bit of Chardin, with its quiet contemplation of everyday objects, but Serebriakova adds a touch of human warmth. All this in simple items, it feels very ‘now’.