The artwork “Apples and Pears in a Round Basket,” completed in 1872, is an oil on canvas painting by the esteemed artist Camille Pissarro. A quintessential example of the Impressionist movement, the painting measures 55.8 x 46.2 cm and is categorized under the still life genre. Currently, this notable piece is housed in a private collection.
The artwork presents a simple yet evocative scene featuring a round basket filled with an assortment of apples and pears. The fruit, rendered with gentle brushstrokes that capture the play of light and color, conveys a sense of natural freshness and abundance. The basket is depicted with a degree of rustic detail, suggesting the weaves and texture which add to the overall realism of the scene. It is placed on a surface that appears to be a table, draped with a cloth, contributing to the intimate and domestic feel of the composition.
In the background, there is a wall adorned with floral patterns, seemingly wallpapers with a vertical design, which juxtaposes the horizontal lines of the table’s edge and the basket’s brim, thus creating a balanced composition. Pissarro’s use of light and shadow emphasizes the three-dimensionality of the fruit and the basket. The artist’s brushwork, characteristic of the Impressionist style, allows for a lively surface where the colors and tones seem to mingle, echoing the movement and shimmering quality of light.
