The artwork titled “Still Life” was created by the artist Camille Pissarro in the year 1867. The medium used for this composition is oil on canvas. Reflective of the Impressionist movement to which Pissarro was a significant contributor, the piece’s dimensions are 81 by 99.6 centimeters. As indicated by its title, it belongs to the still life genre, and it is currently housed at the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, Ohio, United States.
In this artwork by Pissarro, viewers are presented with a composition that features an arrangement of everyday objects on a tabletop. At the center, a plate displays a hunk of cheese with its cut segment exposing the interior, alongside a partially wrapped loaf of bread, casting a noticeable shadow on the plate. Adjacent to the plate, there is a dark, translucent glass of wine, reflecting the light and resting next to two vibrant, round fruits—potentially lemons or oranges—that offer a stark contrast against the dark bottle and bread. Above the tabletop, hanging against the warm, brownish backdrop—an almost ochre wall—a cooking ladle or spoon is depicted at an angle, hinting at the surroundings beyond the immediate scope of the still life. On the right, there stands a tall, dark jug or pitcher with its handle and spout clearly defined, contributing to the work’s sense of depth and structure. The artist’s signature is visible in the upper right portion of the work, affirming its authenticity.
The textural contrasts between the rough surface of the bread, the sheen of the ceramics and glassware, and the smooth peels of the fruits demonstrate Pissarro’s keen observation skills and his ability to convey the tactile quality of materials through his brushstrokes. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones that complement the composition’s subdued and homely atmosphere, which is typical of still life paintings. This work, being an example of Impressionism, emphasizes the play of light and color over intricate detail, a hallmark of the movement’s style.
