Lilies with shell (1934-1955) Nikolay Feshin (1881-1955)

The composition presents a still life arrangement dominated by a cluster of lilies emerging from a vessel contained within a large shell. The flowers are rendered in shades of white and pale yellow, their forms possessing a certain sculptural quality due to the thick application of paint and the play of light across their surfaces. Smaller blossoms – daisies and violet-toned wildflowers – are interspersed among the lilies, adding visual complexity and softening the overall impression.
The shell itself is a focal point, its interior surface painted with swirling strokes of pink, peach, and cream, suggesting an iridescent quality. Its substantial size dwarfs the flowers, creating a sense of enclosure and intimacy within the scene. The vessel holding the flowers appears to be partially obscured by the shell, contributing to the feeling of being privy to a hidden arrangement.
The background is dark and indistinct, executed in muted browns and grays that allow the luminous quality of the flowers and shell to take precedence. This limited palette reinforces the sense of quiet contemplation evoked by the subject matter. The brushwork throughout the painting is loose and expressive, conveying a feeling of spontaneity and immediacy.
Subtly, the juxtaposition of organic forms – the delicate lilies, the humble wildflowers, and the substantial shell – suggests themes of fragility and resilience, beauty and endurance. The shell, traditionally associated with protection and shelter, could be interpreted as symbolizing refuge or preservation. The lilies, often linked to purity and rebirth, are presented within this protective context, hinting at a cycle of renewal. The overall effect is one of understated elegance and melancholic beauty, inviting reflection on the transient nature of life and the enduring power of natural forms.