Violin with Fruit 1924

Juan Gris made 'Violin with Fruit' in 1924, we think, with oil on canvas. It’s a painting that doesn’t hide its making – you can see the hand of the artist in every brushstroke. Gris applies paint thinly, almost like watercolor, allowing the colors to interact and blend on the canvas. The palette is quite muted and earthy. I love that he isn't trying to trick you, you know? The textures aren't concealed; they add to the painting's appeal. Look at the grapes, for example, or how the planes overlap. It gives the entire composition a tangible, almost tactile quality. The lines are confident, like they are made in one stroke. I see a bit of Cezanne here, that desire to reveal the architecture of painting. 'Violin with Fruit' is a testament to the endless possibilities of painting, where representation and abstraction coexist. Like all great art, it remains open to interpretation.