Portrait with apples (Portrait of the Artist's Wife) 1909

August Macke painted this oil on canvas, “Portrait with Apples,” also known as "Portrait of the Artist's Wife," sometime before his untimely death in 1914. Macke, associated with the German Expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter, created this portrait during a time of significant social and artistic transformation in Europe. Here, Macke depicts his wife, Elisabeth Gerhardt, holding a plate of fruit. She is not simply a muse but seems to occupy her own space. The fruit, traditionally symbolic, takes on a modern, almost mundane quality, reflective of the changing roles of women. During this period, women pushed against traditional roles and expectations and the simple, domestic scene seems to acknowledge that shift. What does it mean to see a woman portrayed with such quiet strength? Elisabeth's gaze is direct, yet gentle, inviting a sense of intimacy. The soft colors and rounded forms create a sense of warmth, suggesting a sanctuary away from the growing tensions of pre-war Europe. In this way, the portrait is both personal and a reflection of the broader societal shifts of the time, capturing a moment of calm before the storm.