Who painted Still Life?

Still Life was painted by Moïse Kisling in 1915.

Where can I see Still Life?

Still Life is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Still Life?

Still Life is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Still Life?

Museum-quality prints of Still Life are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Still Life

Moïse Kisling , 1915

Still Life is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Moïse Kisling. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1915, this oil painting presents a modest arrangement of everyday objects, dominated by a single pear that commands the viewer’s attention. The work is part of the collection of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, and exemplifies the artist’s engagement with post‑impressionist concerns for color and form.

Subject & Meaning

The composition brings together a pear, a leafy stem bearing two red fruits, and a yellow element marked with black lettering, set against a muted backdrop of whites, grays, and browns. The straightforward grouping suggests a quiet contemplation of ordinary items, while the central placement of the pear hints at a subtle hierarchy within the still life.

Technique & Style

Bold, gestural brushwork defines the surface, with saturated hues that contrast against the subdued background. The artist’s handling of oil paint emphasizes texture and volume, especially in the pear’s flesh, while the surrounding colors are rendered with looser strokes, creating a balance between precision and spontaneity characteristic of post‑impressionist practice.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced by Moïse Kisling, a Polish‑born artist who settled in Paris in 1910 and became associated with the School of Paris. After its creation, the work entered the holdings of Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s early 20th‑century European painting collection.

Context

Kisling worked alongside contemporaries such as Amedeo Modigliani and Jules Pascin, sharing the vibrant artistic milieu of pre‑World War I Paris. Within this environment, his still lifes reflect a dialogue between the lingering influence of Impressionism and the emerging modernist emphasis on simplified forms and expressive color.