“Basket and Plate of Fruit on a Red Checkered Tablecloth,” created by Pierre Bonnard circa 1939, is a notable piece of Post-Impressionist art. This still life, measuring 58.4 x 58.4 cm, is housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, located in Chicago, IL, US.
The artwork depicts an arrangement of fruit including apples, grapes, and other produce, set on a red checkered tablecloth. The composition features a basket, likely woven from natural materials, which holds an assortment of green and yellow fruits. In the foreground sits a simple plate with three reddish apples, rendered with delicate and warm hues. The red checkered tablecloth beneath them provides a vibrant and dynamic background that contrasts with the more subdued colors of the fruits and basket. The brushstrokes are characteristic of Bonnard’s Post-Impressionist style, with soft, yet assertive, strokes that convey the texture and form of the objects. The overall impression of the artwork is one of warmth and domestic tranquility, emphasizing the beauty in everyday scenes.
