Artwork

Basket of Plums

Basket of Plums, by Anne Vallayer-Coster, unspecified, 1769
Basket of Plums, by Anne Vallayer-Coster, unspecified, 1769

Basket of Plums is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Anne Vallayer-Coster. It dates from 1769 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Basket of Plums is a painting depicting a still life arrangement on a dark table.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features a basket of ripe plums, a glass of water, and two small cakes, showcasing the artist's ability to render color and texture, a challenge particularly relevant for women artists at the time.

Technique & Style

The painting employs chiaroscuro, with vivid reds and violets emerging from deep shadows, and detailed renderings of textures such as the dusty skins of the plums and the sparkling glass of water.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Anne Vallayer-Coster

Artist

Anne Vallayer-Coster

Anne Vallayer-Coster (21 December 1744 – 28 February 1818) was a French painter best known for still lifes.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.