Still Life With Guitar and Fruit 1972

Henri Catargi made this painting of a still life with guitar and fruit, likely in the mid twentieth century, using oil on canvas. Catargi embraces the gooeyness of oil paint, laying it on in thick, visible strokes. It’s not about hiding the process, but letting the paint itself do some of the talking. See how the lemons aren’t just yellow, but built up with layers of pale greens and whites? The shadows aren’t flat, but alive with blues and purples. The brushstrokes are like individual notes in a melody, creating a vibrant, textured surface. Look at the handle of the guitar – it’s almost abstract, just a suggestion of form with thick black outlines, and a few swipes of brown. This reminds me of Cezanne, who similarly used broken brushwork and a focus on form to construct his still lifes. But where Cezanne is all about structure, Catargi feels more playful, more intuitive. It's a reminder that painting is a conversation across time, and there's always room for a new voice.