Still Life with Pitcher and Fruit

Still Life with Pitcher and Fruit on Towel by Émile Bernard

Still Life with Pitcher and Fruit on Towel by Émile Bernard is a vibrant and thoughtfully composed painting that reflects the artist’s post-Impressionist style, characterized by bold colors and strong contours. Created around the late 19th to early 20th century, the work features a simple yet striking arrangement: a ceramic pitcher, pieces of fruit, and a towel laid out on a table. The towel, rendered with visible brushstrokes, adds texture and depth, while the vivid oranges, reds, and greens of the fruit create a dynamic contrast against the muted background. Bernard’s use of flat areas of color and simplified forms emphasizes the composition's decorative quality, drawing attention to the everyday objects.

In this still life, Bernard demonstrates his interest in both the symbolic potential and formal qualities of ordinary subjects. The composition reflects his affinity for synthesizing different influences, from the bold outlines of Japanese prints to the use of color and form inspired by his contemporaries, like Paul Gauguin. Still Life with Pitcher and Fruit on Towel highlights Bernard's approach to exploring the boundaries between realism and abstraction, making it a valuable example of his contribution to post-Impressionism. Today, this work is celebrated for its vibrant color palette and modernist sensibility, remaining an important piece in understanding the evolution of 19th-century French art.

• Title: Still Life with Pitcher and Fruit on Towel
• Artist: Émile Bernard
• Date: Late 19th to early 20th century
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Style: Post-Impressionism
• Current Location: Various collections
• Subject: A still life of a ceramic pitcher, fruits, and a towel, showcasing Bernard’s interest in bold color contrasts and decorative composition.