Apple and lemon 1930

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin made this still life, Apple and Lemon, with oil on canvas, and what strikes me is the way it’s been built up, layer upon layer. The image emerges slowly, like a memory coming into focus. Look closely and you'll see the paint isn't applied to mimic reality; it's more about the texture and colour relationships. The slightly off-kilter perspective, the way the checkerboard tablecloth almost vibrates, creates a sense of unease. The apple, painted in shades of green and yellow, feels heavy, substantial. In contrast, the lemon, sliced open on a plate, seems almost vulnerable. The juicy interior of the lemon is rendered with such care, as though we could reach out and taste it. Petrov-Vodkin's approach reminds me of Cézanne, in that he is interested in exploring the underlying structure of things. It's this focus on form, combined with the painting's tactile surface, that makes it so compelling. Art isn't just about what we see; it's about how we experience the world.