Oranges and Lemons with a View of Pont-Aven
- Original dimensions
- 61 x 50 cm
- Museum
- Langmatt Museum Sidney and Jenny Brown Foundation
- Year
- 1890
Scene depicted
The canvas presents a rich and vibrant composition of citrus fruits delicately placed in front of the bucolic landscape of the port of Pont-Aven. The oranges and lemons, juicy and pretty, face a lush background where the colors of nature intertwine. This pictorial work appeals to the senses, transporting the viewer to the heart of a summery and joyful atmosphere.
Historical context
Created in 1890, this painting highlights the charming little port of Pont-Aven, in Brittany. As the post-impressionist movement emerges, Oranges et citrons avec vue sur Pont-Aven stands out for its boldness and vibrant color. This canvas is currently on display at the Langmatt Museum Sidney and Jenny Brown Foundation , where it captivates visitors with its history and radiance.
Place in the artist's career
Oranges et citrons avec vue sur Pont-Aven represents a turning point in Gauguin's career, a milestone before his departure for Tahiti. It echoes other canvases such as Vision after the Sermon and The Yellow Christ , where he develops his bold style, reinventing painting through the expressiveness of colors and forms.
Anecdote
“Color is a language, a cry from the heart,” Gauguin said while discussing his quest for emotional purity through art. Imagine him, one spring morning, strolling along the flowered banks of Pont-Aven, inspired by the bright hues of citrus fruits under the rising sun. This fleeting moment is the vital breath of his masterpiece and the canvas that will capture this essence.