Artwork

Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins

Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins, by Vincent van Gogh, oil
Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins, by Vincent van Gogh, oil

Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh. It is held in the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum.

About this work

Overview

Vincent van Gogh’s 1893 oil painting titled Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins presents a modest arrangement of fruit on a simple surface. The composition centers on a basket filled with apples, flanked by two pumpkins, all rendered in a restrained palette of browns, greens and yellows. The work is part of the collection of the Kröller‑Müller Museum in the Netherlands.

Subject & Meaning

The painting focuses on everyday objects, a basket, apples, and pumpkins, captured in a quiet domestic setting. By isolating these items, van Gogh emphasizes their material presence and the simple beauty of ordinary produce, inviting contemplation of form and the quiet rhythms of daily life.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the work employs a muted colour scheme that enhances the subtle tonal variations of the scene. Van Gogh’s handling of light and shadow creates a chiaroscuro effect, giving the fruit a palpable volume and a sense of three‑dimensional space. The brushwork remains controlled, allowing texture to emerge in the skin of the pumpkins and the woven basket.

History & Provenance

Created in 1893 during van Gogh’s later period, the painting eventually entered the collection of the Kröller‑Müller Museum, a major repository of the artist’s work. Its presence there reflects the museum’s focus on early modern Dutch art and its commitment to preserving van Gogh’s lesser‑known still‑life oeuvre.

Still Life with Pumpkin, Pears and Walnuts
Still Life with Pumpkin, Pears and Walnuts, Giacomo Ceruti

Artist & collection

Portrait of Vincent van Gogh

Artist

Vincent van Gogh

Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art.

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

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins?

Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins was painted by Vincent van Gogh.

Where can I see Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins?

Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins is held by Kröller-Müller Museum.

What movement is Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins?

Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins?

Museum-quality prints of Still Life with a Basket of Apples and Two Pumpkins are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.