Artwork
Still Life with a Knife
Still Life with a Knife is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Józef Pankiewicz. It dates from 1909 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.
About this work
Overview
Central to the composition are a green glass bottle, a white pitcher, and a bowl filled with apples, grapes and lemons.
Józef Pankiewicz’s *Still Life with a Knife* (1909) is an oil painting that presents a modest tabletop arrangement. Central to the composition are a green glass bottle, a white pitcher, and a bowl filled with apples, grapes and lemons. A small white cup with a spoon rests to the left, while a knife lies in front of the fruit. The background is rendered in a muted pink‑red hue, giving the scene a tranquil atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts everyday objects—a bottle, pitcher, fruit, cup, and knife—arranged to emphasize balance and quiet domesticity. By focusing on ordinary kitchenware, Pankiewicz invites contemplation of the quiet moments of daily life, suggesting a serene, almost meditative pause within the domestic sphere.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting displays thick, visible brushstrokes that create a tactile surface. A restrained palette of blues, greens, and muted tones dominates, while the pink‑red background provides subtle contrast. The handling of paint reflects post‑impressionist concerns with color modulation and surface texture, lending the scene a sense of calm solidity.
History & Provenance
Created while Pankiewicz was active in France, the painting entered the collection of the National Museum in Kraków, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing early 20th‑century Polish artists who engaged with broader European artistic currents.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Józef Pankiewicz (29 November 1866 – 4 July 1940) was a Polish impressionist painter, graphic artist and teacher. He spent much of his career in France.
