Kunstnerens familie 1912

Paul Fischer painted his family with oil on canvas in this charming, though undated, painting. Look how the artist uses a muted palette, dominated by warm browns and greys, to evoke a sense of domesticity and calm. I'm really drawn to the way Fischer handles the textures here. The patterned wallpaper, the lace on the table, the polished wood of the furniture – each surface has been rendered with a careful attention to detail. My eye is particularly drawn to the way the light catches the violin on the table. The way the varnish gleams suggests the instrument is well loved and well used. It reminds us that art can be a way to remember the everyday moments. You can see the influence of artists like Vilhelm Hammershøi. Like Hammershøi, Fischer excels at creating intimate, introspective scenes that invite the viewer to step into another world. It's like overhearing an old family joke.