Wessel, Herman H. (American, 1878-1969) 4 American artists

The composition presents a still life arrangement dominated by a sense of geometric simplification and muted color. A circular platter occupies the foreground, laden with a collection of fruit – peaches, lemons, and apples – rendered in broad strokes of yellow, orange, and red. The fruits are not depicted with meticulous realism; instead, their forms are suggested through simplified shapes and planes.
Behind the platter, a folded cloth with blue and white stripes adds textural complexity to the scene. Its placement partially obscures the base of a large, purple vase that rises prominently from the background. This vase is itself an exercise in geometric abstraction, its curves reduced to essential volumes. A slender, green vertical element appears adjacent to the vase, acting as a counterpoint to the rounded forms and adding height to the arrangement.
The backdrop consists of a series of broad, red-orange planes that create a sense of depth while simultaneously flattening the perspective. The use of these blocks of color contributes to an overall feeling of abstraction, moving away from traditional representational techniques.
Subtly, there’s a tension between the organic forms of the fruit and the rigid geometry of the vessels and background. This juxtaposition suggests a consideration of natures inherent structure through the lens of formal artistic concerns. The limited palette – primarily reds, yellows, greens, and purples – creates a somber mood while also emphasizing the interplay of color relationships. The arrangement feels deliberate, almost staged, hinting at an exploration of form and composition over narrative content.