Still life 1890 61x94.5cm Charles Frederick Goldie (1870-1947)

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around several fish laid upon a marble surface. The palette is dominated by muted earth tones – ochres, browns, and grays – punctuated by the vibrant reds of the fish themselves. A dark curtain forms the backdrop, creating a stark contrast that emphasizes the objects in the foreground.
The artist has rendered the fish with meticulous detail, capturing their textures and reflective qualities. The scales shimmer subtly under an unseen light source, while the moistness of the flesh is convincingly portrayed. Three distinct types of fish are visible: one large, reddish specimen; a smaller, paler fish partially obscured beneath it; and another silvery-gray fish positioned towards the right edge of the composition.
To the left of the fish, a small bunch of parsley adds a touch of verdant color and organic form. The marble surface itself is rendered with careful attention to its veining and reflective properties, contributing to the overall sense of realism. A glass bowl containing what appears to be goldfish sits slightly behind the fish, adding another layer of visual interest and complexity.
The arrangement evokes themes of mortality and transience. Fish, as a source of sustenance, inherently represent life consumed. Their lifelessness on the marble surface suggests a contemplation of decay and the passage of time. The inclusion of the goldfish in their bowl introduces an element of contained vitality – a parallel between the natural world and human attempts to control or preserve it.
The dark curtain serves not only as a backdrop but also as a symbolic barrier, isolating the still life from any external context. This isolation intensifies the focus on the objects themselves and encourages introspection regarding their significance. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to consider the fragility of existence and the beauty found even in subjects associated with death.