Portrait of E. N. Heidenreikh in white wig Zinaida Serebryakova (1884-1967)

The pastel drawing presents a three-quarter portrait of a woman, positioned slightly off-center. She leans against what appears to be a wooden chair or architectural element, her arms crossed loosely in front of her. The composition is intimate and focused on the sitter’s face and upper body.
Here we see an elaborate hairstyle dominating the visual field; a voluminous wig of pale blonde curls frames the womans face, drawing attention to its delicate features. Her skin tone is rendered with subtle gradations, suggesting a soft light source illuminating her from the left. The artist has employed a restrained palette – primarily muted browns, grays, and creams – which contributes to an overall sense of refinement and elegance. A faint blush highlights her cheeks and lips, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise cool color scheme.
The sitter’s gaze is directed towards the viewer, conveying a sense of quiet confidence and perhaps a hint of melancholy. The expression is complex; it isnt overtly joyful or sorrowful but rather suggests an interiority that invites speculation. Her shoulders are bare, draped with a sheer fabric that softens the lines of her form and adds to the ethereal quality of the portrait.
The background is deliberately indistinct, rendered in loose pastel strokes that blend into the surrounding space. This lack of detail serves to isolate the figure and emphasize her presence as the central subject. The chair she leans against provides a grounding element but also subtly suggests a sense of confinement or restraint.
Subtly, the wig itself introduces an element of artifice. It is not natural hair, suggesting a constructed identity or perhaps a performance of femininity. This detail could be interpreted as indicative of social status, theatrical involvement, or a deliberate attempt to present a specific image to the world. The overall effect is one of studied elegance and understated drama, hinting at a personality both complex and intriguing.