The girl with a candle. Self-portrait Zinaida Serebryakova (1884-1967)

In this striking self-portrait, a young woman is depicted from the chest up, her body turned away from the viewer as she looks over her shoulder with a direct gaze. The lighting is dramatic, with a warm glow illuminating her face and the front of her simple white top, likely a loose-fitting shirt or blouse. This light source, presumably a candle as suggested by the title, casts strong shadows on the left side of her face and creates a chiaroscuro effect that emphasizes her features and the textures of the painting.
Her expression is serene yet thoughtful, with her lips slightly parted and her eyes alert. The background is dark and indistinct, dominated by deep browns and blacks, which serves to further isolate and highlight the figure. The brushstrokes are visible and painterly, giving the artwork a sense of immediacy and emotional depth.
The subtexts of this painting are rich and multilayered. The self-portrait itself signifies introspection and self-awareness. The title, The girl with a candle, is particularly evocative. The candle is a traditional symbol of knowledge, truth, enlightenment, and guidance. By holding or being illuminated by a candle, the artist may be suggesting her pursuit of understanding, her inner light, or the revelation of her own identity through her art. The act of painting by candlelight can also imply a private, intimate moment of creation, perhaps even a struggle to capture fleeting inspiration or to see oneself clearly in the dim light.
The subjects direct, yet gentle, gaze conveys a sense of vulnerability and confidence simultaneously. She appears to be contemplating something beyond the viewer, or perhaps she is simply aware of her own presence and the act of being seen. The simplicity of her attire suggests a focus on her inner self rather than external adornments. The painting, through its composition and use of light, speaks to themes of self-discovery, artistic devotion, and the illumination of the human spirit.