Apples and Napkin
- Original dimensions
- 60.3 x 49.2 cm
- Museum
- Sompo Museum of Art
- Year
- 1879
Scene depicted
In this pictorial work, Cézanne delivers a masterful composition where the apples, symbols of nature and life, coexist with a napkin, an element of a domestic scene. The canvas invites a calm contemplation, fostering a dialogue between the object and the eye. The shapes are drawn with an almost architectural approach, revealing his deep understanding of color and structure.
Historical context
Created in 1879, the painting Apples and napkin immerses the viewer in the daily life of the Aix-en-Provence region, the cradle of post impressionism . Cézanne, an iconic figure of this movement, managed to capture through this painting a part of the Provençal essence. Today preserved at the Sompo Museum of Art, this work measuring 60.3 x 49.2 cm testifies to the genius of its creator, rooted in a period of profound artistic evolution.
Place in the artist's career
Apples and napkin is positioned between his early exploratory works and his bolder compositions. Associated with The Montagne Sainte-Victoire and The Card Players , this painting reflects Cézanne's technical and emotional evolution, marking a pivotal period where the mastery of landscape becomes as intimate as still life.
Anecdote
“I love apples, every shape, every light. They dance on the canvas.” Thus Cézanne spoke of the inspiration behind his painting. Perhaps it was a spring morning when the sweet scents of the orchards fluttered, inspiring the artist to capture a simple moment of beauty. A napkin spread out, apples on the table, and the moment becomes eternity thanks to his painting .