Pastry Chef c. 1923

"Pastry Chef" is a portrait by Chaim Soutine painted around 1923. The work depicts a chef in a white uniform, with a white toque, sitting in a chair. The painting is characterized by Soutine's signature expressive brushstrokes and vibrant colors, creating a sense of movement and intensity. Soutine's portraits often emphasized the human figure's physicality and emotional state. The artist's use of thick paint application and the distorted features of the subject contribute to the work's powerful and evocative nature. This work is a prime example of Soutine’s Expressionist style, which he employed throughout his career.