Contessas Afternoon Duet Berge Missakian (1933-2017)

The composition presents a densely populated interior scene, brimming with objects and figures rendered in a vibrant, somewhat distorted style. A portrait dominates the upper left quadrant; within it, a woman is depicted in profile, adorned with flowers and wearing what appears to be an elaborate garment. Her gaze is directed outward, suggesting a sense of introspection or perhaps detachment from her surroundings. The portrait’s frame is heavily outlined, contributing to its visual prominence.
Below the portrait, a still life arrangement unfolds across a table surface. A guitar takes center stage, leaning against a large, ornate bag. This juxtaposition suggests a merging of musical performance and personal belongings, hinting at a narrative beyond mere representation. Scattered around the guitar are various fruits – apples, cherries, watermelon slices – arranged in a manner that feels both abundant and slightly chaotic. The presence of these ripe, seasonal elements introduces themes of pleasure, indulgence, and perhaps fleeting beauty.
To the right of the still life, a window offers a glimpse into an outdoor scene. A red parasol is prominently displayed against a backdrop of foliage, creating a visual echo of the woman’s attire in the portrait. The window frame itself is rendered with thick, dark lines, emphasizing its role as a boundary between interior and exterior spaces.
A tall clock stands to the left edge of the canvas, its face visible but somewhat obscured by the surrounding objects. This inclusion introduces an element of temporality, suggesting that the scene unfolds within a specific moment in time. A vase filled with flowers sits near the clock, adding another layer of decorative detail and reinforcing themes of beauty and transience.
The color palette is rich and saturated, dominated by warm tones – yellows, reds, oranges – which contribute to an overall feeling of warmth and vibrancy. The use of bold outlines and flattened perspective creates a sense of artificiality, distancing the viewer from any illusion of realism. This stylistic choice directs attention towards the symbolic weight of the objects rather than their literal representation.
Subtly embedded within the scene are fragments of text – discernible on bottles and other items – which add another layer of complexity to the work’s meaning. These textual elements, though partially obscured, suggest a narrative or commentary that remains open to interpretation. The overall effect is one of controlled chaos, where seemingly disparate elements coalesce into a visually arresting and emotionally resonant composition.