The artwork “Nasturtiums and Pink Cups,” created by Janet Fish in 1981, exemplifies the Contemporary Realism movement. As a still life, it engages the viewer with its vibrant depiction of everyday objects rendered with meticulous attention to detail and color.
Upon examination of the artwork, one observes an intricately composed still life featuring a bouquet of bright yellow and orange nasturtiums arranged in a delicately patterned, translucent glass vase. Two pink cups, with soft glazes and delicate handles that suggest both utility and beauty, sit one behind the other, with a hint of translucence in the material suggesting thin porcelain. To the left, there is what appears to be a bowl containing a singular piece of fruit, suggesting a subtle commentary on abundance alongside items that connote refreshment and repose. The background and the surface on which these items rest are delineated with energetic brushstrokes in a warm, dappled yellow hue, which may allude to the vivacity of sunlight or the coziness of an interior space. The reflections and refractions evident in the glass and the ceramics showcase the artist’s skillful manipulation of light and shadow, underscoring the tangible reality of the scene. Overall, this representation of domestic tranquility speaks not only to the technical prowess of Janet Fish but also to the broader thematic concerns of the Contemporary Realism movement, which seeks to reengage with the visual splendors of the quotidian world.
