Three Pears in a Vase 1945

Helene Schjerfbeck, sometime in the early 20th century, took brush to canvas to give us these 'Three Pears in a Vase' I love the simplicity of this painting; the pears are just these soft yellow blobs against a dark background. You can almost feel the rough texture of the canvas. The paint isn't trying to hide anything; it's just there, honest and straightforward. I think that mark making, that's so crucial to painting, the way Schjerfbeck outlines the pears with these thick, dark strokes. It's like she's defining them, but also letting them breathe. There's this one spot on the pear to the right, a tiny little dark spot, like a bruise. It's so subtle, but it brings the whole thing to life. I am reminded of Morandi’s still life paintings, where everyday objects become these monumental, almost spiritual forms through the act of painting. It reminds us that art isn't about perfection, it's about seeing the world in a new way.