Ryby2. 1916 Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

The composition presents a still life arrangement dominated by fish, arranged on and around wooden crates. A substantial number of silvery-white fish are piled high in the background, their forms simplified into elongated shapes with minimal detail. These appear almost stacked, creating a sense of abundance or perhaps even overwhelming quantity. In the foreground, several more fish lie upon a lower crate, rendered with slightly greater definition, allowing for some indication of scale and texture.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing muted greens, browns, grays, and reds. The dark background contributes to a feeling of enclosure and focuses attention on the objects in the foreground. A green glass bottle stands prominently near the fish pile, its form echoing the verticality of the arrangement. Alongside it, a small porcelain set – a cup and saucer – is placed on a separate crate, introducing a touch of domesticity into the scene. Scattered around the crates are several red spheres, likely representing apples or tomatoes, which punctuate the composition with bursts of color.
The artist’s brushwork is loose and expressive, contributing to a sense of immediacy and vitality. The paint application appears thick in places, adding texture and depth to the objects. Theres an intentional lack of precise rendering; forms are suggested rather than meticulously defined.
Subtextually, the painting seems to explore themes of sustenance, abundance, and perhaps even mortality. The sheer number of fish could be interpreted as a symbol of plenty or a commentary on the cyclical nature of life and death – the bounty of the sea juxtaposed with the inevitability of consumption. The inclusion of the porcelain set introduces an element of human presence and domesticity, suggesting a connection between the natural world and human needs. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting reflection on the relationship between humanity, nature, and the necessities of existence.