“Still Life, Pitcher and Fruit” by Paul Cézanne, created in 1894, is an oil on canvas representative of the Post-Impressionism movement. With dimensions of 43.2 x 62.8 cm, this still life composition resides in a private collection. The artwork is composed with the distinct brushstrokes and muted palette that are characteristic of Cézanne’s style, which bridges the late 19th-century Impressionism and the emergent early 20th-century movements such as Cubism.
In the artwork, Cézanne arranges a collection of objects that include a pitcher and various pieces of fruit on a table. The pitcher, placed on the left side of the composition, exhibits a robust form with a visible patina that shows the play of light and shadow on its surface. To the right of the pitcher sit pears and apples in a casual array. The fruits are depicted with an amalgamation of warm and cool tones, with subtle variations that suggest their volume and texture.
Cézanne’s treatment of space and form is evident; the tabletop at which these objects rest seems to recede at an unusual angle, displaying the artist’s distinctive approach to perspective. The background is relatively muted, consisting of washes of color that embody the atmospheric depth, which allows viewers to focus primarily on the still life arrangement. Collectively, the assembled elements exemplify Cézanne’s exploration of shape and color, and their complex relationship within space. This work not only captures the simplicity of its subjects but also conveys the artist’s profound influence on the development of modern art.
