Notes

Still life painting, a special genre in the artist’s career, allowed him to break away from his painted and incised panels in order to explore a more painterly approach to art. In addition, his Nordic heritage enabled him to find beauty in everyday objects and marry the elegance of Scandinavian design to the genre of still life. These paintings also evoke the legendary hospitality of Cecil and Thelma Skotnes in which the simple pleasures of good food, excellent wine and percolated coffee were shared with family and friends.

In Still Life with Figs Skotnes foregoes the conventional cluster of objects for a stylish, horizontal arrangement in which each object is affectionately treated with individual care. Figs associated with sensuality are gathered into a transparent glass bowl while a single red flower, often favoured as a token of love, forms another focal point of the composition. The carefully constructed wood and painted brass frame, made by the artist especially for this work, adds a further personal touch and enhances its value.
 

Provenance

Acquired directly from the artist by the current owner