Table with Leftovers 1907

Igor Grabar painted "Table with Leftovers" with oil on canvas, but we don't know exactly when. The casual arrangement of objects, which include fruit, silverware, glassware, and plates, suggests the aftermath of a shared meal. The painting has some elements of French Impressionism, but was created in Russia, where the art world was experiencing a period of intense social and cultural change. There was a growing sense of national identity and an increasing interest in depicting everyday life. This painting might reflect that shift away from academic painting towards scenes of modern life. Grabar was a key figure in shaping Russia's art institutions. He was involved in organizing exhibitions and establishing museums and his work gives us an insight into the emerging culture of art appreciation in Russia at the time. To understand this artwork more fully, we might research the history of Russian art institutions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and explore how artists responded to societal shifts.