#04450 Xavier Valls (1923-2006)

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around a small table and its contents. A woven basket overflows with several pears, their forms rendered in varying shades of yellow-green, suggesting ripeness and abundance. Beside the basket rests a single lemon, providing a contrasting burst of color. A clear glass bottle stands upright on the tabletop, reflecting light and contributing to the overall sense of stillness.
The table itself is painted with a muted pink hue, its simple design emphasizing functionality over ornamentation. A single drawer, subtly recessed, hints at contained domesticity. The background wall is rendered in soft blues and whites, creating an atmosphere of quietude and spaciousness. A faint, irregular line traverses the upper portion of the wall, introducing a subtle element of disruption to the otherwise serene scene.
The artist’s meticulous attention to detail – the texture of the basket weave, the sheen on the pears, the clarity of the glass – suggests an interest in capturing the essence of everyday objects. The arrangement feels deliberate, yet unostentatious. There is a sense of restrained elegance and a focus on the simple pleasures of domestic life.
Subtly, the painting evokes themes of transience and decay. Pears are inherently perishable; their presence suggests the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The lemon’s bright color might be interpreted as a symbol of vitality against this backdrop of potential decline. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting the viewer to appreciate the beauty found in ordinary moments.