Still Life with Mountain View

An evocative mid-century still life that presents a quiet interior moment set against a distant landscape,  painted in oil onto board.

In the foreground, a tabletop arrangement of fruit: a crescent slice of watermelon, a rounded green melon, and a dark plum sits alongside a simple tumbler, all positioned before an open window with shuttered sides. Beyond the window, a sparse rural scene unfolds: whitewashed buildings, rolling fields, and softly contoured mountains receding into a muted horizon. The composition gently balances interior intimacy with exterior openness, inviting the viewer to linger between the domestic and the expansive.

Stylistically, the work reflects classic mid-century modern sensibilities: simplified forms, flattened perspective, and a deliberate restraint in detail. The palette is calm and earthy – dusty greys, sage and olive greens, soft blues, and chalky whites – punctuated by the gentle blush pink of the watermelon flesh, which acts as a subtle focal point. Darker tones around the window frame and tabletop anchor the composition and create a sense of enclosure.

The brushwork is expressive yet controlled. Broad, matte strokes define planes and objects, while visible brush marks lend the surface a tactile, painterly quality. Edges are softly articulated rather than sharply drawn, contributing to the work’s contemplative mood.

This oil on board is housed in a complementary wood frame with an inner linen lining. The painting is in excellent vintage condition, and the frame has some scuffs. 

Size: 55 x 64.5 cm (including frame)