Henri Le Sidaner – Table near the Window, Reflections, 1922 Sotheby’s

The composition presents a still life arranged on a table positioned directly before a window. The immediate foreground is dominated by objects characteristic of domesticity: bottles, a glass bowl filled with what appears to be candied fruit, a teapot and cup set, a drinking glass, and a small bouquet of flowers in a vase. A loosely draped curtain partially obscures the left side of the view, softening the edges of the scene and contributing to an overall sense of intimacy.
Beyond the window lies a cityscape rendered in muted tones. Buildings line a broad avenue where indistinct figures on carriages or bicycles move along. The light source seems to originate from beyond the buildings, casting a warm glow upon their facades and creating a hazy atmosphere that blurs details. Reflections are integral to the work; they appear within the glass surfaces of the bottles and the drinking glass, subtly distorting and layering the external view with the interior arrangement.
The artist’s technique emphasizes broken brushstrokes and a delicate application of color, which lends a shimmering quality to both the still life and the landscape beyond. The palette is restrained, primarily utilizing greens, yellows, blues, and creams, creating a harmonious visual unity. Theres an intentional ambiguity in the depiction; the precise location remains undefined, suggesting a universal sense of place rather than a specific locale.
Subtly, the work evokes themes of contemplation and solitude. The arrangement feels staged, as if capturing a fleeting moment of quietude. The presence of the window acts as a symbolic barrier between the interior world of personal reflection and the exterior realm of public life. It suggests an observer looking out, perhaps lost in thought or simply appreciating the beauty of the scene before them. The reflections further complicate this sense of separation, blurring the boundaries between what is real and perceived, internal and external. Ultimately, the painting conveys a mood of gentle melancholy and understated elegance.