Artwork

Fruit Tree in Bloom

Fruit Tree in Bloom, by Paula Modersohn-Becker, charcoal, 1901
Fruit Tree in Bloom, by Paula Modersohn-Becker, charcoal, 1901

Fruit Tree in Bloom is a charcoal drawing by Paula Modersohn-Becker. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Fruit Tree in Bloom is a charcoal drawing on blue laid paper created by Paula Modersohn-Becker in 1901. It is one of over 1,000 drawings by the artist, who was a prolific German Expressionist.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a blooming fruit tree, its branches adorned with flowers and leaves. The expressive rendering conveys a sense of lushness and vitality.

Technique & Style

Modersohn-Becker's use of charcoal on blue laid paper creates a nuanced interplay of dark and light tones, adding depth and texture to the tree's forms. Visible strokes and shading contribute to the drawing's dimensionality.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Paula Modersohn-Becker

Artist

Paula Modersohn-Becker

Paula Modersohn-Becker (8 February 1876 – 20 November 1907) was a German Expressionist painter and draftswoman of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.