A woman with a yoke Zinaida Serebryakova (1884-1967)

Here we observe a watercolor study depicting a solitary female figure engaged in what appears to be agricultural labor. The woman stands in profile, her body angled slightly towards the viewer, suggesting movement and purposefulness. She is burdened with a yoke across her shoulders, from which hangs a substantial bundle of harvested material – likely sheaves of grain or straw.
The artist’s palette is dominated by warm tones: reds, yellows, and browns. The womans attire – a vibrant red headscarf, bodice, and skirt – immediately draws the eye, contrasting with the muted earth tones of the background landscape. This color choice may signify her importance within the scene or perhaps allude to a cultural identity. Her posture is stooped, indicative of physical exertion and the demands of her work.
The setting appears to be an open field, rendered in loose brushstrokes that convey a sense of vastness and rural simplicity. The background lacks detail; it’s more about suggesting space than defining specific features. This lack of specificity directs focus onto the woman herself. A few indistinct figures are visible further back, hinting at a community but emphasizing her isolation within the frame.
The composition is relatively simple, with the verticality of the womans form providing a strong anchor. The yoke acts as a horizontal element that divides the canvas and reinforces the sense of weight and labor. The artist’s technique – characterized by quick, gestural brushwork – creates an impression of immediacy and spontaneity.
Subtly, the painting conveys themes of rural life, toil, and perhaps resilience. The womans solitary presence suggests a quiet dignity and strength in the face of hardship. While seemingly straightforward, the work invites contemplation on the lives of those who sustain communities through manual labor, and the inherent beauty found within everyday routines. The date inscribed at the bottom – 1716 – provides a temporal context, placing this scene within a specific historical moment and hinting at traditional modes of agricultural practice.