The artwork titled “Still Life” is an oil on canvas creation by French painter Gustave Caillebotte, completed in the year 1879. An exemplification of the Impressionist movement, this piece of art falls under the genre of still life and, as of the latest available information, resides within a private collection.
The composition of the artwork is an intimate arrangement of objects typically found in a late 19th-century household setting. Central to the work is a gleaming bowl brimming with an array of citrus fruits—most likely oranges—whose vibrant colors bring a warmth to the otherwise subdued palette. Surrounding this focal point are several glass vessels of varying shapes and sizes. The translucency and refractive quality of these glass objects provide a contrast to the opacity and texture of the fruits, showcasing Caillebotte’s skill in rendering different materials.
The reflections on the polished wooden surface are rendered with careful attention, capturing the nuances of light as it interacts with the objects and the table. The background is somewhat ambiguous, primarily composed of rich, dark tones that suggest an interior space. This darker setting amplifies the luminosity of the glassware and the fruits, effectively drawing the viewer’s eye towards the central elements of the piece.
In his portrayal, Caillebotte demonstrates mastery in capturing the immediacy of the scene—a hallmark of the Impressionist movement—while also adhering to the still life tradition of meticulous arrangement and representation of everyday objects. The artwork is illustrative of the artist’s commitment to both the intensity of direct observation and the finessed depiction of commonplace items that transcend their ordinary context.
