Still Life with Apples 1913

Maurice Prendergast made "Still Life with Apples" with oil on canvas. Imagine him now, in front of this tabletop of fruit and dishes, thinking, "Where do I even begin?" You know, just dabbing bits of color here and there, trying to capture the light, the shadows, and the overall vibe of the scene. It's a pretty audacious scene to be sure. I see a bold, blue-rimmed plate that kind of dominates everything, and then there's this whole jumble of apples, oranges, or maybe they're pears! They're strewn across a tablecloth that's got its own little party going on with all those red and white checks. It's all painted with these juicy brushstrokes, thick and loose. He's really going for it, piling up the paint to give everything texture and weight. You can feel his hand moving as he tries to make sense of it all. It's a nod to the Impressionists, for sure, but with a touch of his own playful, colourful spirit. Painters, we are all having a conversation, and I am grateful to be a part of it.