Still life: Entrecote on Yellow Paper Félix Édouard Vallotton (1865-1925)

The composition presents a stark and deliberate arrangement of objects against a dark backdrop. A substantial cut of meat, vividly rendered in shades of red and pink, dominates the central space. Its raw texture is emphasized through visible marbling and a slightly glistening surface, suggesting freshness and immediacy. The artist placed this piece upon a crumpled sheet of yellow paper, which acts as both a background and a visual foil to the meat’s intense color.
The paper itself is handled with broad, expressive brushstrokes, creating a sense of dynamism and movement that contrasts with the stillness of the meat. A dark-handled knife lies partially obscured beneath the cut, its presence hinting at the act of preparation or consumption. The objects rest on a white surface, likely a plate or tray, which reflects light and contributes to the overall luminosity of the scene.
The color palette is restricted but impactful: the vibrant red of the meat, the warm yellow of the paper, and the cool white of the reflective surface create a visual tension that draws the viewer’s attention. The limited range of hues reinforces the focus on form and texture rather than elaborate detail.
Beyond the purely descriptive elements, the painting evokes several subtexts. The presentation of raw meat can be interpreted as an exploration of mortality and the cycle of life and death. It challenges conventional notions of beauty in still life by presenting a subject matter typically associated with sustenance and consumption, stripped bare of any romantic or decorative embellishment. The crumpled paper suggests a sense of transience and impermanence, further emphasizing the fleeting nature of existence. The deliberate simplicity of the composition invites contemplation on themes of materiality, fragility, and the inherent drama within everyday objects.