Still LIfe with Glass and Lemon Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919)

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around domestic objects, rendered with a loose and impressionistic brushstroke. A vibrant red cloth dominates the foreground, its folds and textures captured through rapid applications of paint in varying shades. Upon this textile rest several items: a sugar bowl adorned with floral patterns, a stemmed glass containing water and a spoon, and a single lemon. The arrangement is positioned against a backdrop of muted orange and brown tones, which appear to be a wall or table surface, also treated with the same expressive brushwork.
The light source seems to originate from the upper left, casting highlights on the glass and lemon while leaving portions of the sugar bowl in shadow. This creates a sense of depth and volume within the scene. The artist’s focus is not on precise representation but rather on capturing the fleeting effects of light and color. Details are suggested rather than meticulously defined; for example, the patterns on the sugar bowl appear as blurred suggestions of floral motifs.
The choice of objects contributes to a feeling of quiet domesticity and everyday luxury. The lemon introduces a note of freshness and vibrancy against the warmer tones of the cloth and background. The glass, partially filled with water, reflects light in a way that suggests transparency and fragility. The spoon, casually placed near the lemon, implies an interrupted moment – perhaps a pause during a meal or refreshment.
Subtly, the painting evokes a sense of transience and impermanence. The loose brushwork and soft focus contribute to this feeling, suggesting that the scene is not meant to be taken as a fixed reality but rather as a momentary impression. There’s an underlying melancholy in the stillness of the objects, hinting at the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of pleasure. The arrangement feels intimate and personal, inviting contemplation on the simple joys of daily life.