Lot 217 Dα

From 1908 to 1943 Otto Modersohn resided in Fischerhude, where this colourful still life was probably painted. Modersohn's few floral still lifes reveal a penchant for the appealing and vividly contrasting combination of purple, green and yellow. This work not only reveals his special sense of colour but also his liberal treatment of motifs despite their superficial realism. If we look carefully, we recognise that the artist has not worked dogmatically, but has instead applied varying perspectives in a highly individual manner. Whilst the background utilises a reduced palette of brown and ochre tones and the white cloth draped in the foreground seems reminiscent of winter snow, the characteristic spring flowers herald the rich abundance of nature newly awakened. The image is thus symbolic of the eternal cycle of nature, to which humans are intrinsically connected and from which they are able to draw new hope again and again.