Abel Gay (1877-1961) Still Life With Cherries And A Bouquet Of Roses

Oil on cardboard. 50 x 64.5 cm. Signed lower right.
This oil painting by Abel Gay is a refined still life, depicting a bouquet of roses in a dark vase alongside a white dish filled with cherries.
The harmonious composition is built on a subtle interplay of contrasts between the freshness of the red fruit, the delicate glow of the pink and white roses, and the warm golden-brown background. The light is handled with softness, highlighting the glossy texture of the cherries and the velvety petals of the flowers.
Abel Gay demonstrates a keen eye for detail, emphasizing the shine of the glazed earthenware vase and the fluid draping of the white cloth. The scattered cherries falling onto the table introduce a sense of movement and spontaneity to the composition.
This work reflects the artist's classical taste, as he excels in capturing the elegant simplicity of an everyday scene while imbuing it with a timeless poetic quality.

Abel Gay studied under Louis Jourdan. He created charcoal and oil views of the Dombes region in southeastern France, such as Moonrise over the Heath, October Morning, and Before the Storm.

He also painted a mural for the café La Taverne in Lyon, entitled Mist over the Rhône. He lived in Lyon and began exhibiting at the Salon in 1903, earning a second-class medal in 1909