“Still Life (Quinces)” is an artwork created by Lucian Freud between 1981 and 1982, epitomizing the Expressionist art movement. This still life painting, crafted using oil on canvas, measures a modest 21 by 16 centimeters. Presently, it can be appreciated at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, Spain.
The artwork captivates the viewer with a textural representation of quinces arranged in a shallow dish. The fruit’s vibrant yellow and orange hues are accentuated by the vigorous impasto technique that Freud is known for, lending a palpable sense of volume and form. The energetic brushwork conveys not just the physicality of the quinces but also hints at the transient nature of their ripeness. Surrounding the central composition, the background is characterized by neutral tones applied with similar dynamism, creating a juxtaposition that further enhances the still life’s subject. The interplay of light and shadow, along with the intricate depiction of the quinces’ surface texture, alludes to the meticulous observance and Freud’s propensity to capture the essence of his subject with emotional depth and intensity.
