The Peppermint Bottle
- Original dimensions
- 82.1 x 65.9 cm
- Museum
- National Gallery of Art
- Year
- 1893
Scene depicted
This painting features a delicate composition where a bottle of peppermint majestically sits in the middle of a still life. Juicy fruits, vibrant textures, and soft shadows play harmoniously in every corner of the canvas. The viewer is then invited to dive into a sensory world, where light and forms meet and blend.
Historical context
This painting, created in 1893, is part of the Impressionism and Post-Impressionism movements. It was born in Aix-en-Provence, Cézanne's hometown, during a time of artistic fervor. The painting is now housed in the National Gallery of Art , and its imposing dimensions, 82.1 x 65.9 cm, make it a centerpiece that captures the eye and the mind.
Place in the artist's career
The Bottle of Peppermint stands as a pivotal work in Cézanne's career. It represents a transition towards a deeper exploration of the simplification of forms and colors, competing with works like Apples and Oranges or The Large Bathers, witnesses to his technical and emotional evolution.
Anecdote
“Nature must be ordered, I am eager to capture it in its essential form.” These words of Cézanne resonate through every brushstroke of the painting . On an April morning, amidst the scents of wet earth, he felt the creative impulse that would give birth to this pictorial work as well as other masterpieces.