STILL LIFE WITH PLATE OF CHERRIES,1885-87, Los Angeles Paul Cezanne (1839-1906)

The painting depicts a still life with an arrangement of fruit on a wooden surface, likely a table. In the foreground, two white plates are prominently featured. The plate on the left is filled with a generous mound of ripe, deep red cherries, their stems and leaves still attached. To the right, another plate holds several round, creamy-yellow peaches, with one peach resting on the table beside the plate.

Behind the fruit, a large, dark green ceramic jug with a wide opening stands. The background is rendered in abstract, textured brushstrokes of dark green, blue, and brown, suggesting a draped cloth or a curtain, adding a sense of depth and atmosphere to the scene. The lighting is somewhat subdued, creating soft shadows and highlighting the vibrant colors of the fruit.

The artists technique is characteristic of Post-Impressionism, with visible brushstrokes and a focus on form and color rather than strict photorealism. The composition is carefully balanced, drawing the viewers eye to the rich textures and hues of the fruit.

Subtexts: Still Life with Plate of Cherries by Paul Cézanne, painted between 1885-1887, is a prime example of his mature still life work. Cézanne was deeply interested in exploring the underlying geometric structures of objects and representing them in a way that conveyed their solidity and presence.

The subtexts in this painting can be interpreted through its formal qualities and Cézannes artistic intentions:

• Exploration of Form and Structure: Cézannes primary concern was to break down objects into their fundamental geometric shapes. Here, the roundness of the cherries and peaches, the cylindrical form of the jug, and the tabular structure of the table are all emphasized through his characteristic use of planes and angles. He isnt just depicting fruit; hes analyzing their volume and spatial relationships.
• Color and Light as Structural Elements: Cézanne used color not just descriptively but also to define form and create a sense of volume. The subtle variations in the reds of the cherries and the yellows of the peaches, along with the interplay of light and shadow, contribute to their three-dimensionality. The backgrounds textured greens and blues, rather than being merely decorative, serve to isolate and enhance the forms in the foreground.
• The Passage of Time and Transience of Nature: Still life paintings have historically held connotations of mortality and the ephemeral nature of life (vanitas tradition). While Cézannes approach was more analytical, the presence of ripe fruit, which will inevitably spoil, subtly points to the passage of time. The abundance of the fruit, however, could also be seen as a celebration of natures bounty.
• Sensory Experience: Cézanne sought to evoke a rich sensory experience for the viewer. The viewer can almost feel the smooth skin of the peaches, the plumpness of the cherries, and the coolness of the ceramic jug. The visual richness of the colors and textures stimulate the senses.
• Objectivity and Subjectivity: Cézanne aimed for an objective representation of his subjects, but his unique way of perceiving and rendering them inevitably imbues the work with his subjective vision. He sought to convey his experience of seeing, making the viewer aware of the act of perception itself.
• Bridging Tradition and Modernity: Cézannes still lifes stand as a bridge between the traditions of classical still life painting and the emerging movements of modern art. His reinterpretation of traditional subject matter, emphasizing structure and formal qualities, profoundly influenced Cubism and Fauvism.

In essence, Cézannes Still Life with Plate of Cherries is more than just a depiction of fruit. It is a profound investigation into the nature of seeing, the structure of form, and the sensory experience of the material world, rendered through his highly personal and innovative artistic language.