Self-portrait in red 1921

This is Zinaida Serebriakova's self-portrait, painted with oils, probably alla prima, as it has a fresh, immediate feel. The palette is grounded by a deep, dark space and offset by bright red and white, all of which gives the painting a sense of clarity. Look how the red jacket boldly wraps around the artist’s figure. I wonder if, as she painted, Serebriakova thought about what it meant to be an artist, and how to convey that sense of self. You know, it can feel pretty weird to stare at yourself so intently. Holding the brushes in one hand, she almost dares us to look back at her. I feel a connection with her. She is part of a long conversation between artists across time. Her self-portrait invites multiple readings, and each one is equally as valid and interesting.