Apples on a Table, Green Background 1916

Henri Matisse made "Apples on a Table, Green Background" with oil on canvas, though the date is not known. The painting's visual impact largely stems from its thick application of paint, a physical quality that can be easily overlooked. Look at the brushstrokes, how they build up layers of color and texture, especially on the apples themselves. This technique, known as impasto, gives the painting a tactile, almost sculptural quality. Matisse used the materiality of paint to explore the interplay between color, form, and light, flattening space and distorting perspective. The table, precariously balanced, and the somewhat crude rendering of the apples, highlight the work involved in the production process, not just the artist's labor, but also the labor of those who grew and brought the apples to market. Matisse elevates everyday materials through the creative process, reminding us that the value of art lies not only in its subject matter, but also in the artist's skilled manipulation of materials and processes.