Lying Moroccan girl Zinaida Serebryakova (1884-1967)

The painting Lying Moroccan Girl by Z. Sechmakina, dated 1972, is a pastel drawing depicting a young woman in a relaxed, reclined pose. She is draped in light fabric, with a blue veil partially covering her head and shoulders, and a pinkish-red garment around her lower body. The woman is shown from the chest up, with her head tilted and resting on her hand, her eyes downcast, and a contemplative or perhaps melancholic expression on her face. Her torso is bare, revealing soft, rounded forms rendered with warm tones. She wears bracelets on her left arm. The style is expressive and loose, with visible pastel strokes in shades of blue, pink, red, and earthy browns, creating a sense of volume and shadow. The background is plain, focusing attention on the figure.

Subtexts:

• Intimacy and Vulnerability: The depicted nudity, combined with the languid pose and introspective gaze, suggests a moment of intimacy and vulnerability. The way she is covered by the fabric can be seen as both revealing and concealing, creating a nuanced portrayal of the human form and spirit.
• Exoticism and Orientalism: The title Lying Moroccan Girl places the subject within a context often associated with Orientalist art. This tradition frequently depicted Eastern subjects in sensual or passive poses, sometimes emphasizing perceived exoticism. While Sechmakinas work might draw on this visual language, it also focuses on the individuals inner state.
• Sensuality and Beauty: The rendering of the female form is soft and sensual, highlighting its natural beauty. The chosen pose and the subtle shading contribute to an overall feeling of gentle sensuality.
• Melancholy or Contemplation: The womans downcast eyes and resting hand on her head can be interpreted as signs of introspection, weariness, or a gentle melancholy. The artwork captures a quiet, perhaps solitary moment.
• Cultural Representation: As a depiction of a Moroccan girl, the painting can be seen as an attempt at cultural representation, though its important to consider the artists perspective and the historical context of how such subjects were portrayed in art. The use of traditional attire elements, like the veil, hints at this cultural element.