Avigdor Arikha 077 Avigdor Arikha

The composition presents a pair of worn leather shoes arranged diagonally across the canvas. The artist has chosen a close-up perspective, filling much of the frame with these objects and minimizing background detail. A muted palette dominates; browns, tans, and blacks are employed to depict the texture and condition of the footwear.
Here we see one shoe positioned slightly forward, its upper portion rendered in a darker shade of brown, while the sole exhibits significant wear, revealing a lighter, almost golden hue. The second shoe lies partially obscured behind it, displaying similar signs of age and use. A shadow cast by the shoes falls to the lower right corner, grounding them within the space and contributing to the overall sense of realism.
The brushwork appears loose and expressive, with visible strokes that capture the irregularities of the leather’s surface. The artist has not striven for a perfectly smooth or polished finish; instead, the texture is emphasized, conveying a feeling of authenticity and lived experience. This deliberate roughness in execution suggests an interest in materiality and the passage of time.
Subtly, the painting evokes themes of journey and endurance. Shoes, as objects intimately connected to movement and travel, carry inherent symbolic weight. Their worn condition speaks not only to physical wear but also to a history of use, hinting at experiences endured and distances traversed. The muted color scheme and straightforward composition contribute to a contemplative mood, inviting reflection on the quiet narratives embedded within everyday objects. There is an understated dignity in the depiction of these commonplace items, elevating them beyond mere functional objects into symbols of human existence and perseverance.