Yosl Bergner is one of Australia's most important twentieth-century artists. Born in Vienna and raised in Warsaw, he arrived in Melbourne in 1937 and studied at the National Gallery School, becoming associated with the influential Heide circle of Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker and John Perceval. Alongside fellow social realists Noel Counihan and Vic O'Connor, Bergner developed a distinctive artistic vision that combined social conscience with the expressive power of modernism.

In 'Still Life', that vision is distilled into a haunting and deeply personal language of objects. A kitchen grater, blue teapot and small vessel are transformed from everyday utensils into weathered, almost human presences. Far removed from the decorative traditions of still life painting, Bergner imbues these humble forms with psychological weight and emotional resonance.

Bringing the influence of German Expressionism to Australia, Bergner employed a brooding palette and dramatic lighting that elevate an ordinary kitchen arrangement into a powerful meditation on endurance, vulnerability and the human condition. The result is a work that rewards sustained looking, revealing new layers of meaning through its rich symbolism and atmosphere.

Represented in major public collections throughout Australia and internationally, Bergner was awarded the Israel Prize for Painting and remains one of the most celebrated artists of his generation. For collectors of Modern, Expressionist and socially engaged art, 'Still Life' offers a compelling example of an artist who transformed everyday objects into profound reflections on life itself.


For collectors of socially conscious, Modern and expressionist art, Bergner is a must.

Yosl BERGNER (1920 - 2017)
'Still Life' 1980
Oil on canvas
Image Size: 40 x 50 cm
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Condition: excellent 
(c) Yosl Bergner / Copyright Agency