The artwork titled “Still Life with Mackerels, Lemons, and Tomatoes,” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1886 in Paris, France. Executed in oil on canvas, this piece is an exemplar of the Realism movement and falls under the genre of still life. Currently, the artwork is housed at the Oskar Reinhart Foundation in Winterthur, Switzerland.
The artwork depicts a meticulously arranged composition of mackerels, lemons, and tomatoes that are set against a dark, almost somber background. The fish, with their silvery bodies and defined scales, lie prominently in the foreground, exuding a sense of freshness. Flanking the mackerels are vibrant red tomatoes and bright yellow lemons, whose rich colors contrast starkly with the muted tones of the fish and the surrounding shadows. In the background, a simple green jug adds an element of rustic simplicity, subtly drawing the viewer’s eye. The brushstrokes are vigorous yet controlled, contributing to the textural quality of the objects and imbuing the still life with a dynamic realism that captures the essence of Van Gogh’s artistic talent.
