#19141 Maria Antonia Dans Boado

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around a shallow dish overflowing with fruit. A cluster of dark purple grapes dominates the visual field, their abundance spilling over the rim of the plate. Around them are scattered other fruits – green apples, an orange-like citrus, and what appears to be a pear or another variety of apple. The artist has employed a limited palette, primarily utilizing shades of green, purple, orange, and brown, with touches of yellow in the grapes.
The background is rendered as a deep, almost impenetrable black, which serves to isolate the fruit and intensify their colors. This stark contrast directs the viewers attention solely to the arrangement itself. The plate, edged with a thin blue line, provides a visual anchor for the composition, its curved form echoing the rounded shapes of the fruits. A subtle sheen on the surface beneath the plate suggests a reflective material, adding depth and realism to the scene.
The brushwork appears loose and expressive, contributing to a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. The forms are not meticulously detailed but rather suggested through broad strokes and tonal variations. This approach lends the painting a certain intimacy, as if capturing a fleeting moment in time.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of fruit, theres an underlying feeling of abundance and perhaps even melancholy. The darkness surrounding the still life could be interpreted as symbolic of isolation or loss. The overripe appearance of some of the fruits might suggest themes of decay and transience. The artist’s signature, discreetly placed in the lower right corner, adds a personal touch to this quiet contemplation of natures bounty.