An intimate genre still life by Julius von Klever the Younger (1882-1942), a representative of the renowned Klever artistic dynasty, created in 1911. The work represents a characteristic early 20th-century tavern-style, signboard-inspired still life, distinguished by its everyday subject matter and subtle ironic undertone.
At the centre of the composition is a fish, placed alongside a bottle of vodka, a drinking glass and an onion, arranged upon an unfolded newspaper bearing the symbolic title Rech (“Speech”). The artist combines the traditions of Russian Realist painting with elements of genre narrative, transforming ordinary objects of daily life into an expressive artistic image of the period.
The refined rendering of the textures of fish, glass, paper and vegetable matter demonstrates the artist’s close attention to the material qualities of objects and the traditions of still-life painting. The ironic juxtaposition of a modest tavern meal with the politically charged title of the newspaper creates a cultural subtext, reflecting the atmosphere of Russian society in the early 20th century.
Signature: Signed and dated by the artist.
Dimensions: Painting: 30 × 20 cm. Frame: 49 × 38 cm.
Material: Oil on panel.
Condition: Good collectible condition. The paint layer is well preserved, with no significant damage. Natural signs of age and use consistent with the period of creation are present.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
