apple and lemon. 1930 Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939)

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around two fruits: an apple and a lemon. The lemon occupies the left portion of the canvas, positioned within a shallow, patterned dish. It is halved, revealing its segmented interior and vibrant yellow flesh. Adjacent to the lemon halves are additional slices, suggesting a process of consumption or examination. To the right, the apple rests directly on the surface, appearing whole and unblemished.
The fruits are set against a backdrop of a checkered cloth, rendered in shades of red and purple. The pattern is applied with visible brushstrokes, creating a sense of texture and dynamism that contrasts with the relatively smooth surfaces of the fruit. Light falls upon the scene from an unseen source, illuminating the forms and casting subtle shadows that define their volume.
The color palette is dominated by warm tones – the yellows and oranges of the lemon, the green-yellow of the apple, and the reds and purples of the cloth. This creates a visually rich and inviting atmosphere. The artist’s handling of paint suggests an interest in capturing not only the appearance of the objects but also their inherent qualities – the tactile feel of the fruit skin, the reflective sheen of the lemons surface, and the weight of the apple.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of commonplace objects, the painting invites contemplation on themes of abundance, decay, and the transience of beauty. The halved lemon introduces an element of vulnerability and exposure, hinting at a life cycle beyond mere presentation. The juxtaposition of the whole apple with the dissected lemon could be interpreted as a symbolic pairing of wholeness and fragmentation, potential and realization.
The checkered background contributes to this sense of underlying complexity. Its geometric pattern creates visual tension, preventing the composition from becoming overly static or sentimental. It suggests an ordered structure that simultaneously contains and limits the natural forms presented within it. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, prompting a consideration of the ordinary as imbued with deeper meaning.