Still Life
Why have so many apples been painted in modern times?
– Lionello Venturi, art critic
Apparently it’s Cezanne’s fault: Love of apples
transmuted desire for women into taut flesh, ripe red.
What noble – blushing – models, unlike the nudes
who watched his damp beard twitch.
Like Caillebotte’s green-grocer display,
lime ovals and yellow globes spilling over blue-papered boxes,
I prefer sly rounds inclined to bounce,
thick skin that peels easily, citrus burning cool to touch.
After still life, Van Gogh says one feels capable.
To tamp all that lemon fire against white china or mirrored bowl,
my eyes travel dotted glossy skin. Although I too want to roll away,
I must sit to sculpt my orange, my cadmium barium red light, serene. Whole.
– ann cefola
View Cezanne's "Still Life With Apples"
View Caillebotte's "Fruit Displayed on a Stand"
View Van Gogh's "Still Life With Grapes, Apples, Pears, and Lemons, Autumn 188"