Dasburg, Andrew (American, 1887-1979) American artists

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around a shallow, oval dish containing several pieces of fruit. The dish rests upon a wooden surface, which itself appears to be part of a larger piece of furniture – possibly a table or cabinet – indicated by the decorative molding visible at its lower edge. A single apple sits outside the dish, closer to the viewer on the left side of the frame.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by earthy tones – browns and yellows in the wooden surfaces contrasted with the varied hues of the fruit: oranges, reds, greens, and purples. The artist has employed a relatively loose brushstroke, particularly evident in the rendering of the wood grain and the subtle gradations of color on the fruit’s skin. This technique lends a sense of immediacy and texture to the scene. Light falls from an unseen source, illuminating the objects and casting soft shadows that define their forms.
The arrangement feels deliberate yet unstudied. The placement of the fruit within the dish is not symmetrical; instead, they are clustered in a seemingly random fashion, suggesting a moment captured rather than a meticulously planned display. This informality contributes to a sense of quiet domesticity.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of objects, the painting evokes themes of abundance and transience. The fruit, symbols of nourishment and vitality, are also inherently perishable. Their presence on the table suggests a temporary state of ripeness, hinting at eventual decay. The simple setting – the wooden surface, the plain dish – further emphasizes this sense of everyday existence and the passage of time. There is an understated melancholy present in the scene; it’s not overtly expressed but rather subtly suggested through the muted colors and the fleeting nature of the subject matter.