1888
oil on canvas
89,5 х 71

The artist's sitter was Maria Yakovlevna Simonovich (1864-1955), his cousin. The composition is unique in that the model is placed in the shade of trees. Using broken brushstrokes, Serov conveys the play of sunlight, flicker of coloured shadows. Warm and tender, the sunlight does not disturb the young heroine's enchanted state. Her relaxed posture enhances the impression of her being dissolved in luminous specks of light and rainbow auroras. It is only the girl's face, white blouse and hands that are covered with coloured impressionist reflexes, the details framing her figure having been painted using dark oils. One is struck by the artist virtuosity in his portrayal of the model's eyes, emanating, as it were, quiet light. Thus is produced the image of interpenetration of sunlight and of the light of human soul.

at 10, Lavrushinsky Lane, Hall 41