Artwork

Dish of Apples

Dish of Apples, by Paul Cézanne, oil, 1888
Dish of Apples, by Paul Cézanne, oil, 1888

Dish of Apples is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul Cézanne. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

2 cm and was created while Cézanne was associated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection through the patronage of Victor Chocquet.

The painting Dish of Apples (1876) by Paul Cézanne presents a modest arrangement of several apples in a shallow bowl placed on a tabletop, exemplifying the artist's interest in still-life subjects. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 46 × 55.2 cm and was created while Cézanne was associated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection through the patronage of Victor Chocquet. The composition focuses on the formal qualities of color and structure rather than narrative content, situating the apples within the broader tradition of French still-life painting of the late nineteenth century.

Technique & Style

Dish of Apples is executed in oil paint on canvas, a medium Cézanne employed throughout his still-life practice. The work measures 46 by 55.2 centimeters, a modest horizontal format suited to a tabletop arrangement. Classified as a painting in the still-life genre, it was produced in 1876.

The source materials document only the basic technical specifications, oil on canvas of the stated dimensions, without describing surface handling, brushwork, palette, or condition, so further stylistic characterization cannot be grounded in the provided evidence.

History & Provenance

Dish of Apples is an oil painting on canvas by Paul Cézanne, dated to 1876. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. According to documented ownership records, the painting was at one point owned by Victor Chocquet, the French civil servant and noted collector of Impressionist works.

The sources do not provide further details on the commission circumstances, the full sequence of ownership transfers, or any intermediate owners between Chocquet and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The painting Dish of Apples, created by Paul Cézanne in 1876, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, which depicts a still life of apples executed in oil on canvas, was previously owned by Victor Chocquet. While the current institutional location and prior ownership are documented, the provided records do not list a specific inventory or accession number for the piece, nor do they detail any public exhibitions in which the work has been displayed.

Overview

Paul Cézanne's Dish of Apples, painted in oil in 1888, exemplifies his significant contribution to Post-Impressionism. This still life, now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases his characteristic exploration of form and composition. The work is a prime example of how Cézanne transformed everyday objects into subjects for rigorous visual analysis, influencing subsequent generations of artists and marking a pivotal shift in modern art.

Legacy

As a pivotal figure in Post-Impressionism, Cézanne developed an artistic language that profoundly influenced the trajectory of modern art. His rigorous investigation into form, space, and composition, exemplified by works like Dish of Apples, served as a crucial link between the observational practices of Impressionism and the revolutionary structural innovations of early twentieth-century movements such as Cubism. His work laid foundational groundwork for abstract art.

The Plate of Apples
The Plate of Apples, Paul Cézanne

Artist & collection

Portrait of Paul Cézanne

Artist

Paul Cézanne

Paul Cézanne ( say-ZAN, UK also siz-AN, US also say-ZAHN; French: ; Occitan: Pau Cesana; 19 January 1839 – 22 October 1906) was a French Post-Impressionist painter whose work introduced new modes of representation,…

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Dish of Apples?

Dish of Apples was painted by Paul Cézanne in 1876-01-01.

Where can I see Dish of Apples?

Dish of Apples is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Dish of Apples?

Dish of Apples is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Dish of Apples?

Museum-quality prints of Dish of Apples are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.