Meine Bitterkeit 

"Meine Bitterkeit" is a hyperrealist oil painting by American artist Troy Brooks, b. 1972. The painting depicts a woman sitting on a staircase, wearing a red and black checkered dress, with a cigarette in her hand. The staircase is flooded, and the woman's reflection is distorted and fragmented in the water. Brooks's masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of unease and mystery. The work's title suggests that the woman is feeling bitter and alone. This painting is a powerful example of Brooks's unique ability to create hauntingly beautiful imagery.