The artwork, titled “Portrait of a Lady I. Whelan with a Lapdog,” was created by Zinaida Serebriakova in 1926. This piece, belonging to the Expressionism movement, is a portrait genre artwork.
The artwork depicts a lady wearing a soft hat and a loosely fitted blouse, characterized by delicate and flowing brushwork typical of the Expressionist style. The soft color palette and textural details convey both the elegance and the introspective mood of the subject. The lady is seen holding a lapdog, whose dark fur contrasts against her lighter attire and adds a nuanced dimension to the composition. Both the woman and the dog are rendered with a harmonious blend of realism and expressive flair, capturing a serene and intimate moment. The overall ambience of the artwork is calm and contemplative, reflecting Serebriakova’s mastery in portraiture and her ability to evoke deep emotional responses through her art.
