“Still Life with Apples and Pitcher” is an artwork by Camille Pissarro, a notable figure in the Impressionist movement. This work dates back to 1872 and is executed in oil on canvas. It measures 56.5 x 46.4 cm and finds its home in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The piece is a classic example of the still life genre, a common subject among artists who aimed to capture the fleeting effects of light and color characteristic of Impressionism.
The artwork displays a collection of richly colored apples resting on a white plate, positioned in the foreground. Near them lies a knife, its blade reflecting the light, suggesting use or the intention of use. Behind the plate is a pitcher adorned with a floral pattern; the curve of its body and neck offering a soft counterpoint to the organic shapes of the fruit. A delicate glass holds a dark liquid, likely wine, contributing to the sense of a moment frozen in time, perhaps after a meal or during a pause in preparation. The textures rendered by Pissarro’s brushwork, from the rough peel of the apples to the smooth surfaces of the pitcher and glass, showcase the Impressionist preoccupation with the sensory qualities of their subject matter.
The background is subdued with vertical stripes, indicative of wallpaper, which complements the arrangement by providing a neutral space that throws the central subjects into relief. Small blooms mimic the floral design on the pitcher, creating a sense of continuity within the composition. The delicate interplay of light and shadow in this piece is testament to Pissarro’s skill in capturing the essence of still life within the Impressionist idiom, while the seemingly casual arrangement of objects invokes a sense of the everyday, an intimate snapshot of domestic life in the 19th century.
