“Elizabeth with Hens under an Apple Tree,” created by Paula Modersohn-Becker in 1902, is an oil on board painting that embodies the Expressionist art movement. This genre painting, measuring 48.9 by 38.1 centimeters, portrays a serene rural scene and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a young girl, Elizabeth, standing beneath an apple tree. She is dressed in a simple white dress, extending a sense of innocence and tranquility. The apple tree, lush with foliage, arches over her diminutive form, casting a natural canopy. The background is muted, with gentle grassy hues, possibly suggesting an early autumn or late summer setting. Around Elizabeth, several hens are foraging, adding a rustic charm and bringing life to the pastoral scene. The brushstrokes of the apple tree and surrounding elements are vivid and expressive, characteristic of the Expressionist style, heightening the emotional resonance of the tranquil yet lively depiction of rural life.
