Nymph Justice 1935

Zinaida Serebriakova painted ‘Nymph Justice’ probably with oils, though the medium is used in such a way it reminds me of fresco. Serebriakova’s palette is quite restricted, almost monochromatic, and her brushwork is careful, considered. But within these limitations, she’s doing something really interesting. There’s an intriguing tension between the sensuality of her subject – the nude female form – and the austere presentation. Take a look at the way she’s rendered the face. It is softly modeled, almost blurred, and her expression is thoughtful, a bit melancholic. This is not your typical pin-up. Instead, Serebriakova seems to be asking us to consider the figure not just as an object of beauty, but as an individual, a thinker. I am reminded of the Pre-Raphaelites and also Gustave Moreau who were similarly drawn to painting mythological and symbolic subjects with a very self-aware gaze.