François Rivoire (1842–1919), Apples And Birds (still Life), 1869

Oil on canvas. 63 x 52 cm. Signed and dated lower right “Rivoire, 1869”.
This painting was exhibited in Paris in 1869, at the Salon des Champs-Élysées, under No. 2044, with the title Apples and Birds (Still Life).

This work by François Rivoire belongs to the great tradition of still life painting. At the center of the composition, two birds hang suspended, tied together by their legs, their feathers rendered with striking realism. Around them, a few leafy branches enrich the scene, while apples rest on a dark tabletop at the base of the painting. The neutral background serves to highlight the richness of textures and colors in the depicted elements. A soft, diffused light gently illuminates the scene, enhancing the volume of the birds and the fruit. Cast shadows reinforce the illusion of depth and realism. Every detail—from the downy feathers to the smooth, glossy skin of the apples—reveals the artist’s meticulousness and pursuit of authenticity.

Though best known for his watercolors and gouaches, François Rivoire here demonstrates his full mastery of oil painting. He stands in the lineage of 19th-century still life painters, committed to illusionistic fidelity and the quiet celebration of everyday life. Through a carefully balanced composition, Rivoire creates visual harmony between the suspended birds and the fruit. His palette—deep reds, golden yellows, subtle greens—animates the surface while maintaining overall unity. The interplay of soft plumage and firm, round fruit invites the viewer's eye to move across the canvas, savoring the contrasts in texture.

This work invites reflection on time and the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures. A memento mori, it suggests that beauty and abundance are ephemeral: ripe fruit, like the birds, will wither or disappear. Rivoire’s realism goes beyond mere imitation of nature—it reflects his sensitivity to atmosphere and the quiet emotion stirred by contemplative observation. Through the scene’s modest abundance, the artist evokes a rural intimacy, the simplicity of meals, and the universal resonance of everyday life.

A student of Jean-Marie Reignier, François Rivoire received several awards at the Salon des Artistes Français and the Exposition Universelle. Rare within his body of oil paintings, this work synthesizes his technical precision and his preference for discreet, meditative, naturalistic art.