wine 1914 Exter

The composition presents a still life arrangement rendered in a fractured and fragmented style. A predominantly blue background serves as the backdrop for a collection of objects seemingly suspended within a shallow space. These elements include bottles, fruit (lemons, oranges, and what appears to be a pineapple), and rectangular forms that could represent boxes or architectural fragments.
The artist employed a limited palette dominated by blues, greens, yellows, reds, and touches of white. Color is not used representationally; instead, it functions as an independent element contributing to the overall visual complexity. The application of paint appears textured, with visible brushstrokes adding dynamism to the surface.
A significant aspect of this work lies in the incorporation of textual elements. Fragments of Cyrillic script are integrated into the composition, appearing both superimposed on and interwoven with the objects. These letters do not seem to form coherent words or phrases but rather function as visual motifs, contributing to the deconstruction of traditional pictorial space. The text’s presence suggests a commentary on language itself, perhaps questioning its ability to fully convey meaning or experience.
The arrangement defies conventional perspective. Objects overlap and intersect, creating multiple viewpoints simultaneously. This flattening of space disrupts any sense of depth, emphasizing the two-dimensionality of the canvas. The fragmentation extends beyond the objects themselves; even the background appears broken into planes, further contributing to a sense of instability and visual disjunction.
The overall effect is one of intellectual rigor and formal experimentation. It seems that the artist sought not merely to depict a still life but to explore the very nature of representation, perception, and the relationship between image, language, and reality. The inclusion of text hints at a broader cultural or political context, suggesting an engagement with contemporary social and intellectual currents.