Henri Ottmann – Aquarium, 1919 Sotheby’s

The composition presents a still life arranged on what appears to be a dark wooden cabinet or sideboard. A woven basket, overflowing with bread and partially obscuring the surface below, occupies the left side of the scene. Adjacent to it, a loosely folded cloth in muted tones drapes over the edge of the furniture, adding a sense of casual domesticity.
The central focus is drawn to a large, spherical object – a glass aquarium – supported by an ornate metal stand. Within this sphere, indistinct forms suggest aquatic life, though details remain ambiguous. A bouquet of white blossoms spills from behind the aquarium, their delicate forms contrasting with the solidity of the glass and metal. To the right of the aquarium, a collection of metallic objects – what seem to be cups or bowls – are clustered together on a small cloth-covered platform. Scattered around them are several eggs and some fruit, contributing to the overall impression of abundance.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by earthy browns, muted greens, and touches of white. The lighting appears diffused, casting soft shadows that flatten the forms slightly and contribute to a sense of quiet introspection.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of everyday objects, the painting seems to explore themes of enclosure and observation. The aquarium itself acts as a symbolic barrier, separating the viewer from an unseen world within. This separation might suggest a commentary on isolation or the desire for control over nature. The arrangement of objects – the bread, fruit, eggs, flowers – evokes a sense of domestic comfort and sustenance, yet the overall mood is not overtly joyful; rather, it carries a subtle undercurrent of melancholy or contemplation. The deliberate ambiguity in rendering certain elements, particularly within the aquarium, encourages individual interpretation and invites reflection on the nature of perception and representation.