“The Pastry Cook of Cagnes” is a portrait painted by Chaim Soutine between the years 1922 and 1923 in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France. The artwork is held in a private collection.
In the artwork, a solitary figure of a pastry cook is depicted. The subject is dressed in a traditional chef’s uniform complete with a chef’s hat. The facial expression is somewhat melancholic, reflecting a sense of weariness or contemplation. The artist’s brushstrokes are expressive and somewhat turbulent, lending a sense of urgency and intensity to the painting. The background is rendered in muted, soft tones, allowing the subject to stand out prominently. The overall mood of the artwork resonates with a mixture of solemnity and introspection, characteristic of Soutine’s distinctive style.