Nature morte G.B 1904 huile sur toile

Realist still life / Academic still life, influenced by the 17th-century Dutch and Flemish still-life tradition — painted 1904. * Dark, almost black background with objects emerging from shadow — very characteristic of Dutch/Flemish still-life conventions. * A carefully arranged collection of grapes, peaches or apples, cherries, nuts/fruit, foliage, glassware and an ornate bottle. * Strong attention to different textures: transparent glass, reflective fruit skins, woven basket, leaves and ceramic/glass surfaces. * The little glass at the upper left and the elaborate bottle are particularly reminiscent of the older pronkstilleven tradition — elaborate still lifes that displayed luxurious or finely rendered objects. * The composition is relatively academic and controlled, rather than using the loose, broken brushwork associated with Impressionism. * There is a degree of trompe-l’œil/naturalistic detail, especially in the highlights on the grapes and glass.