“Still Life with Herring” is a distinguished piece of artwork created in 1916 by the artist Chaim Soutine, during his time in France. This still life painting is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork portrays a simple yet evocative arrangement of three herring fish placed on a flat, oval dish. The composition is further complemented by two forks resting on the edges of the dish, as if ready to serve the fish. Above the dish is a white bowl, adding a sense of balance and contrast to the piece. The background is a deep, somber shade, which helps to bring the subjects in the foreground into sharp focus. The overall mood of the painting is one of stark realism, heightened by the artist’s keen attention to the textures and tonal contrasts within this still life composition.