Artwork
Still Life with Fish
Still Life with Fish is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Emil Carlsen. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left: Emil. Carlsen. 1882-
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition belongs to the still-life genre and is classified as a painting, reflecting the realist approach typical of Emil Carlsen's American works.
The work is an oil painting on canvas dating to 1882. Its support is a canvas, and the paint medium consists of oil on that support. The composition belongs to the still-life genre and is classified as a painting, reflecting the realist approach typical of Emil Carlsen's American works.
The painting measures 75.2 cm in height by 101 cm in width. It entered the National Gallery of Art collection through the bequest of Chester Dale in 1963, having previously been owned by Charles A. Walker and later Chester Dale.
History & Provenance
Emil Carlsen created the oil painting Still Life with Fish in 1882. The work entered the collection of Charles A. Walker of Boston, who purchased it directly from the artist around 1895. Upon Walker's death in 1920, the painting passed to his son, M. Leon Walker of Lexington, Massachusetts.
Leon Walker sold the piece at Parke-Bernet Galleries in New York on May 24, 1940. Following this sale, the painting was acquired by Chester Dale of New York and remained in his possession until his death in 1962, at which point it was bequeathed to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1963. The precise inventory or accession number is not specified in the available documentation, and no prior exhibition history is recorded.
Overview
Emil Carlsen, a Danish-born American Impressionist, painted Still Life with Fish in 1882 using oil on canvas. This work exemplifies his primary focus on still life compositions, a genre for which he was widely recognized. Carlsen later broadened his artistic scope to include landscapes and seascapes, simultaneously establishing a reputation as an influential educator. The painting reflects characteristics of the Impressionist movement.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a group of fish arranged on a dark wooden table, accompanied by a small brass cup. Behind them, a copper pitcher is positioned to the left, balanced by a brass bowl on the right. This careful arrangement of domestic and natural elements creates a focused study of everyday objects, a common theme within still life painting.
Context
Emil Carlsen, though born in Denmark, became a prominent figure in American Impressionism. While Still Life with Fish showcases his early dedication to the still life genre, he later diversified his subjects to include landscapes and seascapes. Beyond his artistic output, Carlsen was also a respected teacher, contributing to the development of art education during his career.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Soren Emil Carlsen (October 19, 1848, Copenhagen, Denmark – January 2, 1932, New York City, U.S.) was an American Impressionist painter who emigrated to the United States from Denmark.
