Green Apples And Champagne Glass 1934

Helene Schjerfbeck made this painting of green apples and a champagne glass in oil paint, sometime in the early 20th century. Look at how the forms are built from soft strokes and blended layers, the brushwork is visible but softened. The subdued palette creates an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. I think it’s all about the way the paint is worked, almost like a meditation. The surface is really lovely, you can see how she's built up the layers to create a sort of luminous, hazy effect. I’m drawn to the subtle way she captures light, like the highlights on the apples and the transparent quality of the glass. There’s a particular stroke on the bottom apple that catches the light, bringing the whole composition to life. It reminds me a little of Morandi's still lifes, in its simplicity and focus on form and light, but there’s also an intimacy that feels very personal.