Portrait GL Ghirshman. 1907 Valentin Serov (1865-1911)

Description of Valentin Serov’s painting "Portrait of G. L. Hirschman".

Valentin Serov’s portraits are characteristically distinctive and have their own individual style. His work is recognizable, in almost all of his paintings his hands are either on his chest or around his heart. This arrangement is always natural, not feigned. The hand may simply be playing with a piece of jewelry on the neck or gently adjusting the collar.

There is a deep philosophical meaning in this gesture. The hand is pointing at the main character of the painting, thereby confirming its importance. At the same time, such an arrangement speaks of closeness. Although the artist, most likely, conveys individuality and the human right to personal space. It conveys not only the external image, but also the inner world of the hero.

Serov’s portraits are painted in the technique of rapid movement of the brush and broad strokes. This gives a sense of suddenness, as if the canvas is painted on the quick hand, in a hurry. The portrait of G.L.Hirschman is painted in the same manner. The impression that the woman was called out, she accidentally turned around. There is a sense of suddenness, her hand is placed on her heart.

The luxurious lady is dressed in the latest fashion loves jewelry. Her hand is studded with rings, and the furnishings of the house suggest prosperity. She is standing at the boudoir, as if she were putting on her makeup in front of the mirror, and the artist called out to her, capturing the moment. The decoration and furnishings speak of the lady’s position in society, but the hand shows that she still has a heart and soul. It is as if she were saying that it is the inner world, not the entourage, that counts. At that time, even marriages were contracted on account, without violating class inequality.

In today’s world, the importance of money has not diminished, just as it did a hundred years ago. The woman looks penetratingly, with one hand resting on the table. There is not a hint of arrogance in her gaze, the feeling is that the artist was able to look into the soul of the young lady. He conveyed her message to the world. The beauty of things is only a visual deception, the main thing is the beauty of the soul.