A still life by Paula Modersohn-Becker, featuring a golden pitcher, fruit, and a fish bowl with red fish. The painting exemplifies her simplified style and earthy colour palette.

Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907) was a German painter and one of the most important early Expressionists. Her brief but productive career bridged the gap between Impressionism and early Modernism. She is known for her still lifes, portraits, and self-portraits, which often possess a simplified, monumental quality. Modersohn-Becker sought to capture the essence of her subjects through bold colours and simplified forms. She was part of the artistic community in Worpswede, Germany, before spending time in Paris where she encountered the work of artists such as Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin. These encounters had a profound impact on her artistic development. This still life presents a collection of everyday objects arranged on a white surface. A golden-brown pitcher, adorned with a single pink flower, stands to the left. Next to it, a bowl contains oranges and lemons. The focal point is a glass fish bowl containing three red fish. The composition is characterised by its simplified forms and earthy colour palette. The artist's brushstrokes are visible, adding texture and depth to the painting. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation and understated beauty.