At first glance, the portrait of a seated woman—lost in thought, hand resting on her chin—invites the viewer into a moment of quiet introspection. But flip the canvas, and you’re instantly transported into a deep, shadowy forest, where thick tree trunks rise from a reddish-brown forest floor. This double-sided oil painting by Mela Muter offers a rare window into the versatility and emotional depth of one of the most important Jewish women painters of the 20th century.
The Power of the Portrait (Side A)
On the front side, Muter paints a half-length portrait of a woman seated beside a bowl of vibrant fruit. The expression is distant, thoughtful—perhaps even melancholic. Her gaze does not meet the viewer but drifts sideways, as if caught in deep reflection. The texture of the paint is striking. Muter employs thick impasto brushstrokes to shape the face and hands, layering pigment with emotional intensity. Meanwhile, she contrasts this with lighter, semi-transparent strokes, particularly around the background and ruffled blouse. These exposed areas of underpainting aren’t flaws; rather, they’re deliberate choices that frame the subject and evoke an unfinished, dreamlike atmosphere.
Moreover, the choice of setting—indoors, static, introspective—underscores Muter’s deep understanding of psychological portraiture. The bowl of fruit adds a symbolic layer: abundance, temptation, or perhaps a still life metaphor echoing the sitter’s stillness.
The Landscape Within (Side B)
On the reverse, Muter shifts dramatically in both subject and mood. A dense forest scene unfolds with heavy, gestural strokes. Thick tree trunks dominate the composition, pushing the viewer’s eye upward and inward. Though unsigned, this side displays Muter’s signature impasto work and earthy palette.
The contrast between both sides is profound. While one depicts inner contemplation, the other evokes natural immersion. One is figurative and human; the other, wild and untamed. Yet both scenes share a tactile richness and a rhythmic movement that speaks to the artist’s singular voice.
About the Artist: Mela Muter
Born in Warsaw in 1876 as Maria Melania Mutermilch, Mela Muter was part of the École de Paris, an avant-garde community that included Chagall, Modigliani, and Soutine. She was known for her emotionally charged portraits, vibrant use of color, and expressive technique. Over time, her work shifted from realism to a more symbolic and personal visual language.
As one of the first women to gain serious recognition in the male-dominated Parisian art scene, she balanced strong feminist ideals with a deep sensitivity to her subjects. Muter’s Jewish heritage, her experience of exile, and her independence all deeply informed her practice.
A Rare Collectible
This double-sided oil painting on canvas (74 × 56 cm) is not only a testament to Muter’s technical skill but also her emotional range. On one canvas, she gives us two worlds—both intensely alive. Signed clearly on the front, the piece remains in stable condition, retaining its original impasto texture and vibrant energy. It offers collectors a unique opportunity to own not one, but two original works by Mela Muter—each side telling a different story.
Kings Gallery is a leading fine art gallery established in Jerusalem in 1995. Particularly, we strive to collect and sell the highest quality historic and contemporary Israeli and International art. The gallery specializes primarily in artists from the early period of the 1920’s. Besides, Kings Gallery features leading up-and-coming young artists who will definitely be prominent names in the next few years.
