Pear Arrangement

A charming and characterful interior still life composition executed in tempera on board and dated 1978, by the established Swedish artist Eric Cederberg (1897-1984), whose artworks have been represented in several public and museum collections across Sweden.

Small yet very effective in its composition, this still life presents a carefully arranged grouping of pears, a ceramic vessel, and a jug rendered with clarity, charm, and a distinctly modern sensibility. The composition centres on two luminous green pears nestled in a scalloped turquoise bowl, accompanied by a fourth pear in the foreground and a halved pear resting nearby. To the right, a sculptural brown jug anchors the scene with a grounded solidity, while a single stylised leaf rises elegantly from a pear against a radiant golden backdrop, dotted with rhythmic points of light.

The artist has employed a flattened perspective, where spatial depth is secondary to shape, balance, and decorative harmony. Forms are simplified into bold silhouettes and geometric masses, giving each object a sculptural presence. The background is thoughtfully divided into zones of warm gold, soft neutral tones, and rich terracotta red, creating a structured yet lively interplay between colour fields.

The palette is vibrant yet controlled, featuring fresh green pears contrasted against a warm, earthy table surface and a glowing mustard-gold backdrop. The cool turquoise of the bowl provides a refreshing counterpoint, while the deep brown jug introduces tonal weight and balance. The dotted golden background adds a playful, almost textile-like quality, enhancing the painting’s decorative appeal.

Executed in tempera, the brushwork is smooth and precise, with a matte, velvety surface typical of the medium. Edges are clean and deliberate, emphasising contour and form rather than painterly gesture. Subtle tonal variations within the pears and jug provide volume without disrupting the overall graphic clarity. The result is a work that feels both intimate and confidently composed – celebrating everyday objects through the lens of mid-century design, where simplicity, colour, and form coexist in harmonious balance.

This tempera on board is presented in a beautifully complementary gilt frame with a deep profile, and with a striking green velvet inner border that creates a strong visual contrast. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has some marks present to its top edge as shown.

Size: 33 x 38 cm (including frame)