The artwork titled “Still life with carafe and ceramic figure” was created by artist Paul Gauguin in the year 1885, during his time in Paris, France. The medium used for this piece is oil on canvas. As a representation of the Impressionism movement, the artwork is classified within the still life genre. Currently, this painting is held in a private collection.
In this artwork, the viewer is presented with a composition that sets a ceramic figure alongside a carafe, possibly made of glass or ceramic, and another smaller container on a table or flat surface. The background features bursts of warm colors that give the impression of foliage or flowers, with a dominating orange and red palette. The figure appears to be painted with a degree of abstraction, having loose brush strokes that capture the essence of the form rather than meticulous detail. The use of light and color to suggest form and texture is reflective of Impressionist techniques, with an apparent lack of concern for precise anatomical accuracy in favor of capturing a momentary glance of the scene. The table sets a stage for these objects, rendered with a simple perspective that focuses attention on the still life arrangement itself. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of vibrancy and fluidity, hallmarks of the Impressionist style that emphasized the artist’s perception of the scene over a literal representation.
