The artwork “Apples, Jug, Iridescent Glass” was created by the artist Paul Gauguin in 1884, during his time in France. This oil on canvas still life exemplifies the Post-Impressionist movement and currently resides in a private collection. As is characteristic of the genre, the artwork captures inanimate objects, arranged thoughtfully to create a composition that is rich in texture, color, and form.
Examining the artwork, one can observe a collection of apples, variably shaded in reds and greens, clustered on a wooden surface. Their arrangement is casual, with some pieces touching and others slightly separated, implying a natural and unstructured placement. Slightly above and to the right of the apples sits a large green jug, its surface reflecting a subtle sheen indicative of a glazed ceramic material. Its robust form contrasts with the smaller adjacent iridescent glass, which is detailed with decorative elements that catch the light, adding a sense of luminosity to the scene. This glass appears to contain a liquid, perhaps water, suggesting a domestic setting. The backdrop is relatively neutral and dominated by earthy tones, which serve to highlight the objects in the foreground. Lastly, vague impressions of foliage top the composition, showing leaves that provide a reminder of the apples’ origin and introduce a natural element to balance the man-made objects. Gauguin’s application of paint is textured and visibly brushstroked, conveying the tangible qualities of the elements within the still life and giving a sense of depth and dimensionality to the entire scene.
