Lemon with Leg 

Here, Melissa Hefferlin presents us with a painting of a lemon and a leg against a fragmented background. The lemon, historically a symbol of freshness, wealth, and even purification, juxtaposes unexpectedly with the fragmented shapes and the almost surreal presence of a leg. The inclusion of the lemon, commonly seen in Dutch still life paintings, often signified luxury but also hinted at the transience of earthly pleasures, a memento mori. The lemon, with its bright hue, can be traced through centuries, appearing in vanitas paintings as well as contemporary art. The leg, resting beneath the lemon, and fragmented background destabilize the classical still life setting. This contrast may reveal a deeper psychological tension, where the familiar symbols of life and abundance are set against a backdrop of fragmented realities and the ephemeral nature of existence. What is Hefferlin trying to convey?