Still life with oranges Boris Grigoriev (1886-1939)

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around citrus fruit, specifically oranges or mandarins. A rustic wooden table serves as the primary surface for the display, its grain and texture rendered with visible brushstrokes that contribute to a sense of immediacy and tactility. The tabletop is positioned at an angle relative to the viewer, creating a dynamic perspective that draws the eye across the scene.
A ceramic pitcher, earthen in tone, holds several oranges nestled amongst verdant foliage. This vessel occupies the upper left quadrant of the painting, its form slightly obscured by the fruit it contains and the leaves which spill out from within. Below this, a cluster of oranges is arranged directly on the table’s surface. The artist has paid close attention to the varying textures of the fruit – the smooth skin of some contrasts with the rougher, more textured surfaces of others. Light plays across these forms, highlighting their roundness and creating areas of shadow that suggest volume.
The color palette is dominated by warm tones – the vibrant oranges are juxtaposed against the muted grays and browns of the table and pitcher. This contrast enhances the intensity of the fruit’s hue and contributes to a feeling of warmth and abundance. The background, rendered in a uniform gray, serves to isolate the objects and focus attention on their arrangement.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of commonplace objects, the painting evokes themes of plenty and domesticity. The oranges themselves can be interpreted as symbols of prosperity and nourishment. Their presence suggests a moment of quiet contemplation, an appreciation for simple pleasures. The rough-hewn table and earthenware pitcher contribute to this sense of rustic simplicity, hinting at a connection to tradition and a life lived close to the earth. There is a deliberate lack of artifice; the scene feels unposed, as if captured in a fleeting instant. The signature located in the lower right corner adds a personal touch, grounding the work within the artist’s individual vision.