Slobodkina often lamented the sale of this work she particularly liked. Selling art was critical for survival, but Slobodkina in her notes she recounted that she often missed some of her “babies”. Besides, the dealer had removed the painting from its original frame, which was “insulting” to Slobodkina, since from time to time she would create a work intentionally for an interesting “found” frame.
Years later, pining for this work she treasured, Slobodkina painted it again for herself and installed it in the original frame.

Swan Lake includes forms (such as the curved fluid lines which she eventually called her “peacock shapes”), which Slobodkina incorporated into her work throughout the years.