Artwork
Still Life with Fish
Still Life with Fish is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Emil Carlsen. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
About this work
Overview
Still Life with Fish, created by Danish-American Impressionist Emil Carlsen in 1899, is an oil painting featuring a tabletop arrangement of fish and a jug against a dark background, now part of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on a simple, everyday still life: brown and white fish laid out on a table, accompanied by a gold jug positioned behind them. The composition emphasizes the play of light on these ordinary subjects.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work showcases Carlsen's use of the medium to achieve rich textures. The dark background serves to highlight the central elements, illustrating principles of American Impressionism's emphasis on light and color.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1899, during a period when Carlsen was primarily known for still lifes (before later exploring landscapes and seascapes), the piece is now held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Soren Emil Carlsen (October 19, 1848, Copenhagen, Denmark – January 2, 1932, New York City, U.S.) was an American Impressionist painter who emigrated to the United States from Denmark.
