The artwork titled “Lemons” was created by the artist Georges Braque in 1929 and is a representation of still life through the media of oil on canvas. The artwork was conceived in France and showcases the influence of Cubism and Expressionism. Currently, the painting is part of a private collection.
In “Lemons”, Braque utilizes his signature Cubist techniques to dissect and reassemble the elements of the still life, offering multiple perspectives within a single plane. The composition comprises a jug, a glass, and fruits, presumably lemons and a pear, arranged on a table. The color palette is dominated by tones of yellow for the lemons, contrasting with the muted greens, browns, and greys that make up the background and other objects. The use of stark black lines to outline the objects gives the artwork a graphic quality, while the play of light and shadow adds depth and dimensionality.
Distinctive to Braque’s style, there is an interplay of geometric forms that flatten and fragment the space, challenging traditional perceptions of depth and form. This approach to still life transforms ordinary objects into a complex interlocking of shapes and surfaces, highlighting the artist’s exploration of visual perception. Despite the abstraction, there is a rhythm to the composition that guides the viewer’s eye through the canvas, allowing one to ponder the interrelation of form, color, and space in Braque’s interpretation of everyday objects.
