Apples and Carpet
- Original dimensions
- 36.3 x 26.2 cm
- Museum
- Barnes Foundation
- Year
- 1893
Scene depicted
At the heart of this composition , juicy apples rest on a carpet, creating a contrast between the softness of the fruits and the rich texture of the canvas . Through this still life, Cézanne reveals the beauty of the ordinary while playing with color nuances and the brightness that bathes the scene.
Historical context
Created in 1893, this painting is emblematic of the post-impressionist movement that flourished in France, in Aix-en-Provence, where Cézanne spent much of his life. It is a time of profound artistic transformation, characterized by the search for new forms and vibrant colors. The canvas , now preserved at the Barnes Foundation , embodies the beginnings of this pictorial revolution through its harmonious dimensions.
Place in the artist's career
A pillar of his work, Apples and carpet is situated during a period of stylistic maturation for Cézanne. Alongside La Montagne Sainte-Victoire and La Maison de la Vigne, these canvases hint at an evolution in the way he perceives and translates reality through painting.
Anecdote
“Painting is a pleasure that I have never ceased to share,” Cézanne might have declared, immersed in his quest for pictorial truth. Inspired by simple forms and the light of a summer morning, each brushstroke on this canvas testifies to his love for fruits mingled with the play of shadow and light.