The artist's sitter was Maria Yakovlevna Simonovich (1864-1955), his cousin. The composition’s flair lies in the fact that the model is placed in the shade of trees. Using separate dabs, Serov conveys the play of sunlight, flicker of coloured shadows. Warm and tender, the sunlight does not disturb the young heroine's enchanted state. Her relaxed posture enhances the impression of her being immersed in the flecks and iridescent flashes of summer lightning. It is only the girl's face, white blouse and hands that are covered with coloured impressionist overtones, while the details framing her figure are painted in dark colours. One is struck by the artist virtuosity in his portrayal of the model's eyes that seem to emanating a soft light. Thus we see sunlight converging with the light of the human soul.
State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow