In the meadow 1912

Zinaida Serebriakova's "In the Meadow" is like a sigh of contentment, made with paint on canvas. Look at the way the green spreads out, punctuated by these grazing animals—cows and horses, mostly, dabbed in browns and blacks and whites. It feels like she’s laid out a blanket and is inviting us to sit with her and her baby on the hillside. I can almost feel the breeze and hear the distant lowing of cattle. The surface isn’t overworked; it's like she’s letting the paint breathe, not fussing too much, just letting the colors speak for themselves. You can see the influence of Impressionism in her light palette and interest in capturing a fleeting moment of light. It's a deceptively simple painting, but it captures something profound about the connection between humans and nature. Serebriakova made art in a world in turmoil, but, here, she has embraced the pastoral. It is a reminder of the enduring appeal of nature and the simple joys of life.