Portrait of a chorus girl Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

The painting Portrait of a Chorus Girl depicts a young woman with fair skin, light brown hair, and blue eyes. She is wearing a large, light-colored hat that casts a shadow over her face, and a blue corset over a white blouse, visible beneath a brown shawl or scarf draped around her shoulders. Her gaze is directed upwards and slightly to the left, with a soft, perhaps wistful or contemplative expression. The background is rendered in loose, Impressionistic strokes of green and brown, suggesting an outdoor setting with trees and foliage. The brushwork is visible and energetic, adding texture and life to the portrait.
The title, Portrait of a Chorus Girl, immediately suggests a subtext related to the entertainment world of the late 19th century. Chorus girls were often seen as figures of both glamour and potential vulnerability, occupying a space between performer and working-class woman. The portrait could allude to the idealized, yet perhaps transient, beauty associated with such professions. The upward gaze might suggest aspirations for a better life, a moment of reflection on her circumstances, or a search for something beyond her current reality. The rich textures of her clothing, particularly the blue corset, hint at the artificiality and constructed persona often associated with stage performance. Alternatively, the informal brushwork and outdoor setting might suggest an attempt to capture a more intimate, real side of the subject, away from the spotlight, highlighting her humanity and individual character beyond her profession. The painting captures a fleeting moment, inviting the viewer to speculate about the inner life and dreams of this young woman working in a demanding and often precarious profession.