Still Life with Lemons and Oranges 1881

Editor: Here we have Renoir's "Still Life with Lemons and Oranges," painted in 1881. It seems deceptively simple, almost like a quick sketch. What can you tell us about it? Curator: I see a powerful engagement with the industrial processes that changed artistic production forever. Renoir, often seen as an "Impressionist master", was embedded in an evolving marketplace of art. The availability of new pigments, premixed paints in tubes, and even canvas production fueled this piece. Consider where Renoir sourced his paints and how readily accessible the raw materials were to him, reflecting emerging supply chains and early globalization. Editor: So you're saying this isn't just about the fruit itself? Curator: Not at all. It’s also about *how* he created it. What brushes did he use? What was the labour involved in producing the canvas and preparing the paint? The materiality, the social history embedded in the paint itself, are all important parts of the piece. The loose brushwork might signify an embracing of industrial innovation allowing for more plein air painting rather than mere laziness, it all changes when seen under this lense! How would this impact the role of craftsmanship and skill, potentially altering notions of what constituted "high art"? Editor: I never thought about it that way, so the *making* of the work tells a different story? Curator: Exactly. Considering production disrupts these historical frameworks! The canvas and colors used, all become crucial players in understanding the artwork. Editor: This really highlights the connection between artistic creation and broader societal changes, even with a seemingly simple subject like fruit! Curator: Precisely. Now you see a more complex view of Renoir’s piece and it becomes part of the history of industrial production, which informs consumption and our relation to both.