“Basket of Fruit,” a renowned artwork by Caravaggio created circa 1596, is a quintessential piece of the Baroque art movement. Executed in oil on canvas, this still life measures 46 by 64 centimeters and is housed in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan, Italy.
The artwork presents an exquisitely detailed basket filled with a variety of fruits, carefully rendered to showcase Caravaggio’s remarkable skill in depicting textures and naturalism. The fruits appear to be in varying stages of ripeness, with some showing blemishes, thereby reflecting the artist’s commitment to realism. The intricately woven basket holds an array of leaves and fruits, including apples, grapes, and pears, arranged in a seemingly natural manner. The background is a simple, light-toned backdrop that accentuates the vivid colors and meticulous details of the fruit, emphasizing the contrast and depth that are hallmarks of Caravaggio’s style. The composition invites the viewer to appreciate the beauty and transience of the depicted objects, encapsulating the essence of the Baroque still life genre.