Tarentelle Elaine Mercier

The composition presents a still life arranged on what appears to be a table positioned near a window. A vibrant bouquet of red flowers dominates the central vertical axis, held within a tall, slender glass vase. The blooms are rendered with bold brushstrokes and an intensity of color that draws immediate attention.
To the left of the floral arrangement sits a small, spherical bowl containing several goldfish. Their orange hues contrast sharply with the cooler tones of the surrounding objects. A cluster of pears rests near the base of the bowl, their forms simplified into rounded shapes. The table surface is covered by a diagonally placed striped cloth, its pattern contributing to the overall sense of dynamism within the scene.
A dark wooden chair occupies the right side of the composition. Its backrest features an ornate design, adding a touch of formality and complexity to the arrangement. A framed portrait hangs partially visible in the background, positioned near the window; only a fragment of a face is discernible, hinting at a narrative beyond the immediate still life.
The light source seems to emanate from the window behind the table, casting a diffused glow across the objects and creating subtle gradations of tone. The artist’s use of color is notable – the fiery red of the flowers contrasts with the cooler blues and greens of the chair and cloth, while the gold of the fish provides a focal point within the lower left quadrant.
Subtly, theres an interplay between confinement and freedom. The goldfish are contained within their bowl, yet their movement is implied through the rippling water. Similarly, the flowers, though arranged in a vase, retain a sense of wildness in their form and color. The portrait fragment suggests a presence beyond the immediate setting, hinting at memories or narratives that extend beyond what is visibly presented. Overall, the work conveys a feeling of quiet domesticity imbued with an underlying tension between stillness and movement, containment and release.