Apples on the window 1932

Pyotr Konchalovsky created this oil painting, *Apples on the Window*, using short, choppy brushstrokes and a subdued, earthy palette. The process here feels immediate, like the painting was completed in one sitting, capturing the fleeting moment of light on fruit. I love how Konchalovsky handles the paint, thick in some areas, almost translucent in others. Look at the greyish surface beneath the apples; you can see the brushstrokes moving in different directions, creating a subtle texture that almost feels like rough wood. Then, notice how the apples themselves have a kind of matte, chalky surface, built up from layers of off-whites and pale greens. There's a delicious tension between the solidity of the fruit and the almost dissolving background, where the green seems to bleed into the air. Konchalovsky reminds me of Cezanne, particularly in his focus on the weight and form of everyday objects. But, unlike Cezanne's more rigid structures, Konchalovsky feels looser, more improvisational, embracing the delightful messiness of observation.