The artwork, “Still Life with a Pewter Jug and Pink Statuette,” is an oil on canvas painting by Henri Matisse, created in 1910 and currently housed in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. This expressionist work measures 90 by 117 centimeters and falls within the still life genre, capturing a collection of objects artfully arranged to showcase Matisse’s vibrant use of color and boundary-pushing representation.
The composition presents a diverse amalgamation of objects atop a robustly painted red table. Dominating the scene is the titular pewter jug, rendered in shades of blue and reflecting its surroundings through highlighted curvatures. Adjacent to the jug is a pink statuette, partially draped with a green patterned cloth, providing a soft, sculptural counterpoint to the jug’s metallic sheen. The background is sectioned into areas of varying blue hues, establishing a strong sense of indoor space, while a little orange on the table competes for attention, adding a burst of complementary color.
Other elements in the painting include a small plant, which breathes life into the stillness, a mini vase with a blue motif, and a singular green cup that echoes the jug’s form. The expanse of the table is adorned by an ornamental yellow design, which, along with a wall plate and the base of a wall-hanging in the backdrop, adds a decorative flourish to the scene. Each object is expressed with bold outlines and planes of color, indicative of Matisse’s move toward greater abstraction and a departure from realist representation.
