10 June 2019

Monday

Natalia Goncharova (1881-1962) was one of the greatest women painters of all time. But probably very few of us have heard of her. Now there is an exhibition of her work at Tate Modern (until early September) and over the summer Goncharova is the name that will be on all our lips. This is a 1907 self-portrait. ‘She is 26 years old and the rising star of Russia’s avant garde. Here she stands before a wall of her own works, justifiably holding up a triumphant bouquet of yellow lilies … it gives you, straight away, the painter and her persona – zestful, energetic, with a direct and exuberant touch’ (Laura Cumming in the Observer).