CÉZANNE, Paul
(b. 1839, Aix-en-Provence, d. 1906, Aix-en-Provence)

Still-Life with Fruit

1879-80
Oil on canvas, 45 x 54 cm
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Cézanne's early paintings were dark, even during the period of his friendship with the Impressionists. Slowly, almost apprehensively, he allowed light into them. His celebrated still-lifes were most often painted against a solid background of walls, drapery, and table linen, and it is no easy task to determine the source of illumination. In the present work, the bright, juicy fruits seem to reflect considerably more light than they receive. He conveyed light by means of colour.




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