Still Life with Lemons on a Plate - Vincent van Gogh

A study of lemons and a glass carafe by Vincent van Gogh, painted in Paris in 1887. This work captures the artist's exploration of colour contrast and patterned surfaces.

Painted during his time in Paris, this work demonstrates the shift in Vincent van Gogh's palette as he engaged with the colour theories of his contemporaries. The composition features a cluster of lemons resting on a white plate, positioned alongside a glass carafe. The background consists of a patterned textile, which provides a vertical counterpoint to the rounded forms of the fruit and the vessel. Van Gogh employs short, rhythmic brushstrokes to define the surfaces. The teal cloth beneath the plate is rendered with directional marks that suggest texture and movement. The lemons are painted in varying shades of yellow and ochre, with touches of orange to indicate light and shadow. The glass carafe acts as a reflective element, capturing the surrounding colours and light within its transparent structure. This painting reflects the artist's interest in the decorative qualities of objects. By placing the fruit against a patterned backdrop, he creates a tension between the three-dimensional objects and the two-dimensional surface of the canvas. The signature, located in the lower right corner, is applied with the same deliberate, visible brushwork found throughout the composition. The work remains a clear example of his experimentation with colour relationships, specifically the contrast between the cool blue-green of the table covering and the warm, sunny tones of the lemons. The frame shown in the image is a period-appropriate gold moulding, which complements the warm highlights within the painting.