Blue Ballerinas 1922

Zinaida Serebriakova made these Blue Ballerinas with pastels, and it's all about the process, you know? The texture here is key; look how the strokes build up these dancers, kind of airy but grounded. The blue isn't just blue; it's got layers, marks on top of marks, so it’s almost like movement is caught in the chalk dust. Notice the one on the left, how the strokes around her shoulder and the edge of her tutu create a sense of depth that keeps your eye moving. It's almost like Serebriakova isn't just drawing ballerinas but drawing the *feeling* of ballerinas. Degas was also interested in this subject, and this feels like a continuation of that investigation. This piece, for me, is more about the fleeting moment, less about perfection, and all about that process of becoming.