A painting of flowers in a vase on a table. Chaïm Soutine-Le Vase de fleurs

Chaim Soutine (1893-1943) was a Russian-French painter known for his expressionist style and intense, emotional portraits and still lifes. Born in Smilavichy, Belarus, he studied art in Vilnius and later in Paris. Influenced by the works of Rembrandt, Chardin and the Fauvists, Soutine's style was characterised by bold brushstrokes, vivid colours and distorted forms. He often painted scenes of everyday life, such as butcher's shops and landscapes, but he is best known for his portraits of people, which have often been described as grotesque and haunting. Soutine's work was not widely recognised during his lifetime, but after his death his paintings became highly sought after by collectors and museums. He is now considered one of the most important painters of the 20th century.