Brittany. Leskonil. 1934

Zinaida Serebriakova made this watercolour painting, Brittany. Leskonil, sometime in the first half of the twentieth century. The paint is thin, almost transparent, but the layers build up to create this lovely depth of field. You can see her process so clearly, her hand dancing across the page. Look at how the light bounces off the buildings in the distance, reflecting in the shallow water. It’s amazing how she captures the subtle changes in tone and texture, from the wet sand to the foamy waves. The brushstrokes are loose and gestural, like she’s trying to catch a fleeting moment. There’s a real sense of immediacy, as if the painting was made on the spot, en plein air. Serebriakova reminds me of Berthe Morisot in the way she finds beauty in everyday scenes. Both artists share a fascination with light and atmosphere, using watercolour to capture the ephemeral qualities of the world around them. Their paintings aren’t just representations of reality, but personal interpretations, infused with feeling and emotion.