Chaim Soutine's 'Flesh' Exhibition at the Jewish Museum Revisits His Influence on Modern Painting

From May 4 to September 16, 2018, the Jewish Museum located at 1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street in New York City showcased 'Chaim Soutine: Flesh,' featuring approximately thirty still lifes. This exhibition underscored Soutine's impact on Abstract Expressionists, particularly Willem de Kooning, who was drawn to Soutine's textured surfaces. Among the highlighted pieces were 'Still Life with Artichoke' (1916), 'Still Life with Fish' (1921), 'Chicken Hanging before a Brick Wall' (1927), 'The Fish' (1933), and 'Sheep behind a Fence' (1940). Philosopher Arthur Danto suggested that Soutine's art is best appreciated after the era of Abstract Expressionism, noting its vibrant colors and ordinary subjects, which reflect materiality and its significance in modern art, influenced by Chardin and Rembrandt.