Portrait of Vera Makarova 1924

Zinaida Serebriakova rendered "Portrait of Vera Makarova," a pastel drawing, in 1924. Serebriakova navigated the turbulent currents of early 20th-century Russia as a woman artist from a distinguished artistic family, and later as an émigré. The portrait shows a young woman, Vera, adorned with a flower crown, her gaze gentle and knowing. The soft pastels and the delicate features of Vera evoke a sense of youthful innocence, yet the shadowed background hints at a world of complexities and untold stories. Serebriakova excelled in portraiture; her works often focused on women and girls, capturing their inner lives with empathy. Serebriakova once said, "I want to express myself, my world... if only to convey the beauty, the charm of the Russian woman." Consider how Serebriakova's positioning within a shifting societal landscape informed her artistic choices. In essence, the artwork prompts us to consider not only the individual's experience but also the broader cultural and historical forces that shape identity and representation.