Still life with fruits (c.1925; France) by Georges Braque

Still life with fruits - Georges Braque - c.1925; France

Artwork Information

TitleStill life with fruits
ArtistGeorges Braque
Datec.1925; France
Mediumoil,canvas
Art MovementExpressionism

About Still life with fruits

The artwork titled “Still life with fruits” by Georges Braque was created around 1925 in France. It is an oil painting on canvas and represents the Expressionist art movement. This piece belongs to the still life genre, which Braque was renowned for, particularly within the context of his developments in Cubism alongside Pablo Picasso, although this work reflects a more Expressionist influence.

In the artwork, one encounters a selection of fruits arranged on a table, capturing the essence of a simple, composed moment. A central cluster of artichokes takes the place of prominence, resting upon a draped white cloth, their form articulated by Braque’s use of deep green tones with blackened shadows, contributing to a weighty textural presence. Accompanying the artichokes, smaller rounded fruits, perhaps grapes or figs, litter the table towards the right side in a more disordered fashion. On the left side, a lone baguette, painted with a keen appreciation for its elongated form, creates a bridge between the viewer and the other elements. Further to the right, a jug, artfully defined by dark hues with decorative motifs, complements the composition, perhaps insinuating the potential for a forthcoming meal with the deployment of the jug for a drink. The background and setting are painted with a muted palette, directing the viewer’s focus predominantly to the central subjects of the table.

Painted during a period when Braque had begun to move away from the strict angularity of Cubism towards more fluid forms, there is nonetheless a detectable structured arrangement to the composition that is characteristic of his earlier works. The varied texture of the brushwork and the manipulation of light and shadow in the painting give each object a substantial and tangible feel, while the overall atmosphere of the piece remains intimate yet modest, the hallmark of a classic still life.

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