Still Life With Fruits

19th century

Still life with fruits

Oil on canvas, cm 64 x 52

The analyzed still life presents a mixture of floral elements and fruits arranged in a circular order on a table covered by a green cloth. The left side of the canvas is occupied by an elegant vase, minutely reproduced in its sinuous decorations, inside which a cascade of flowers has been carefully arranged; roses, anemones and tulips are recognized. Next to the base of the vase there is a wicker basket in which ripe figs have been distributed, the skins of which have split allowing you to glimpse the reddish flesh, and a large bunch of white grapes, typical fruits that mark the end of summer. On the sides of the basket are some citrus fruits, on the left a lemon, on the right four oranges. In the background a large and round watermelon has been deprived of a large slice, thus highlighting the juicy rosacea flesh inside. The smooth peel of the watermelon is surmounted by a bunch of dark grapes. The berries are struck by a beam of light, which highlights their shapes and makes them emerge from the dark and uniform background, thus resuming the lesson of Caravaggio. The canvas is characterized by a lively, as well as varied, color palette.