The artwork titled “Hen and Tomatoes,” created by the artist Chaim Soutine circa 1924, is a striking piece executed in oil on canvas. Notable for its vivid expressionist qualities, this still life painting is housed at the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany. The piece exemplifies the Expressionism art movement, characterized by its dynamic brushwork and intense color palette, which convey a deep emotional resonance.
The artwork presents a raw and chaotic depiction of a hen surrounded by several tomatoes. Dominated by dark, brooding tones, the painting uses bold and energetic brushstrokes to bring life to the scene. The hen, suspended centrally, appears nearly abstract with its distorted and vibrant coloring, evoking a sense of movement and turmoil. The rich reds of the tomatoes at the base offer a stark and somewhat unsettling contrast to the dark backdrop, enhancing the visceral quality of the artwork. The overall composition and choice of subject matter reflect Soutine’s tendency to infuse ordinary scenes with an extraordinary emotional depth.