French artist Paul Cézanne is famous for his paintings of still lifes, and “Still Life with Watermelon and Pomegranates” is one of his most impressive works. Completed during the final years of his life, Cézanne showcases his skills of observation and creation through fluid strokes of saturated color. These still lifes explore correspondences among objects while searching for harmony and balance in form and color.
The painting depicts a watermelon sliced open, showcasing its vibrant pink interior alongside several pomegranates opening up to reveal their ruby red seeds. This composition shows a sense of realism seen in other works by the artist, evoking the beauty found in everyday objects. This particular piece demonstrates a spontaneous, exuberant side of Cézanne’s art that sets it apart from others.
Cézanne was born in Aix-en-Provence and spent much of his youth exploring the rugged countryside around him, forging an attachment to this landscape he would return to often in his art. Through “Still Life with Watermelon and Pomegranates,” we see the culmination of this lifelong process: a beautiful depiction of natural fruits found within his homeland through vivid colors that capture not only their essence but also celebrate them as subjects worthy on their own merits.