Melon and Lemon c. 1900

This oil painting, titled "Melon and Lemon," presents a still life composed with an emphasis on texture and color. The objects—a melon slice, a whole lemon with leaves, a plate, and a knife—sit on a rumpled white cloth, set against a softly patterned background. The thick brushstrokes and muted palette evoke a sensory experience, almost tactile in its rendering of the fruit's surfaces and the fabric's folds. The composition is structured to explore contrasts: the smooth skin of the lemon against the rougher texture of the melon, the stark brightness of the cloth against the subdued tones behind. This play with texture and light, combined with a restricted palette, creates a visual dialogue. The arrangement of the objects is not merely representational; it challenges our perception of space. The flatness of the picture plane, accentuated by the visible brushwork, disrupts any illusion of depth. Ultimately, the painting invites viewers to engage with its formal elements and consider how these elements shape our understanding of the still-life genre.