- 109
Zinaida Evgenievna Serebriakova
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Description
- Zinaida Evgenievna Serebriakova
- Breton Peasant Lady
signed Z. Serebriakova, inscribed Lesconil and dated 1934 (lower right); also signed Z. Serebriakova, inscribed Vielle femme Bretonne (Pont-l'Abbé Finistrèse) / (pastel) (on the reverse)
- pastel on paper
- 24 3/4 by 19 in.
- 62.9 by 48.3 cm
Provenance
Lucien Lefenrre-Foinet, Paris
Vìra Pokorná, Prague
Exhibited
Prague, Institute Slave de Prague, Exposition de la Peinture Russe, 1935, no. 107 (titled Vielle Femme Bretonne)
Catalogue Note
Serebriakova traveled to Northern France to explore new landscapes and capture the daily life of the local communities in Brittany. In the late 19th century to the early 20th century Northern France, and Brittany in particular, was the hub of many artist colonies, where artists canvassed the rural topography for inspiration and painted village scenes to great public demand. Proximity to the local population afforded artists fresh subject matter and picturesque landscape. Serebriakova’s works from this period can be characterized by her usual immediacy and virtuosity. The present portrait of an old Breton woman from Lesconil astutely captures the proud, self-assured and dignified peasant woman in regional costume. Serebriakova’s adroit stroke, inimitable in its spontaneity and coloration, sets her apart from so many of her contemporaries.
The present work was exhibited a year after its completion in Prague at the Exposition de la Peinture Russe (see fig. 1). A letter from Serebriakova dated January 5, 1935 provides insight into her preferred exhibition layout. The present lot is clearly demarcated in the lower right of the letter (see fig. 2).
The present work was exhibited a year after its completion in Prague at the Exposition de la Peinture Russe (see fig. 1). A letter from Serebriakova dated January 5, 1935 provides insight into her preferred exhibition layout. The present lot is clearly demarcated in the lower right of the letter (see fig. 2).