Old still life circa 1900

Nineteenth century. Still life with fruit. Oil on canvas, 64 X 52 cm. The still life analyzed presents a mixture of floral and fruit elements arranged in circular order on a table covered with a green tablecloth. The left part of the canvas is occupied by an elegant vase, meticulously reproduced in its sinuous decorations, inside which a cascade of flowers has been carefully arranged; roses, anemones and tulips can be recognized there. Next to the base of the vase is a wicker basket inside which have been distributed ripe figs whose skin has split, revealing the reddish pulp, and a large bunch of white grapes, typical fruits that mark the end of summer. On the sides of the basket are some citrus fruits, on the left a lemon, on the right four oranges. In the background, a wide, rounded watermelon has been deprived of a large slice, highlighting the pink, juicy pulp it contains. The smooth skin of watermelon is topped with a bunch of black grapes. The grapes are struck by a beam of light, which highlights their shapes and makes them emerge from the dark and uniform background, thus taking up the caravaggesque lesson. The canvas is characterized by a palette of bright colors, as well as varied.

Ref. : JJTWZ57U