Apples and a pineapple Félix Édouard Vallotton (1865-1925)

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around fruit and a metallic vessel. A vibrant red cloth serves as the primary surface, draped in a manner that creates folds and shadows, adding depth to the scene. Upon this cloth rest several apples of varying hues – some a deep crimson, others a more muted green – alongside a prominent pineapple positioned near the center. An orange is precariously balanced on the pitcher’s lip.
To the left, a loosely woven basket provides an additional layer of texture and visual interest. A silver pitcher dominates the right side of the arrangement; its reflective surface captures and distorts the light, creating highlights and shadows that contribute to the overall luminosity. A knife lies across the fruit, suggesting a recent or imminent action related to consumption.
The background is rendered in muted greens, with a heavy curtain hanging on the left, partially obscuring the wall behind it. The curtain’s folds echo the drapery of the cloth, reinforcing the sense of volume and three-dimensionality. A single orange sits atop the pitcher, further emphasizing its height within the composition.
The arrangement evokes a sense of abundance and domesticity. The presence of the knife introduces an element of potential disruption to this tranquility, hinting at the fleeting nature of pleasure and the inevitability of decay. The pineapple, as a tropical fruit, suggests exoticism or luxury, contrasting with the more commonplace apples.
The subdued color palette, dominated by reds, greens, and silvers, contributes to a mood that is both rich and contemplative. The careful arrangement of objects, combined with the play of light and shadow, creates a visually compelling scene that invites prolonged observation and reflection on themes of sustenance, beauty, and transience.