Still life with fruit bowl and mandolin 1919

This ‘Still life with fruit bowl and mandolin’ was painted by Juan Gris, we think, in the early 20th century. Look at how it’s been constructed! Areas of colour and tone are puzzled together, and the still life seems to emerge and shift as you look at it. I can imagine Gris carefully placing each shape and line, making decisions, responding to his intuition. See the blue planes, the mandolin—how they create a sense of depth and space, even as they flatten the image. You might notice how the geometric forms are softened by the gentle curves, creating a balance between order and fluidity. I am really drawn to the way Gris's work speaks to Cezanne. Artists are in a constant dialogue through time, passing ideas and approaches back and forth. We might respond to those who have come before, inspiring each other’s creativity. And maybe they embrace ambiguity, encouraging multiple readings and a spirit of ongoing inquiry, rather than fixed conclusions.