Still Life. Melon. 1912

Pyotr Konchalovsky's painting "Still Life. Melon" uses oil paints to build up texture and depth. Konchalovsky, working in Russia, would have been accustomed to the traditional methods of oil painting. But there is nothing academic about this picture; instead he uses the material of the paint almost sculpturally. Note how the fruit is heavily outlined, each brushstroke assertive and visible. In this way, he uses the material to convey the idea of ripeness, the bounty of the harvest. It’s important to remember how valuable fruits like these were – not just as sustenance, but as symbols of wealth. The labor involved in cultivating them would have been considerable. Konchalovsky’s thick handling of the paint perhaps reflects this – a celebration of the work required to bring such a scene to the table. Ultimately, by focusing on material and process, we can appreciate how "Still Life. Melon" elevates the everyday, turning humble objects into something worthy of contemplation.