Still Life 1920

Auguste Herbin painted this still life with oil on canvas, and his process really comes through when you look closely. The handling of the paint is simple and direct. Look at how the edges of the objects are sharply defined, and then note the subtle shading within those boundaries, which gives depth to the forms. Herbin's process of applying paint creates surfaces that are smooth but also somehow assertive. It's as if the very act of painting—of transforming liquid pigment into solid form—was of central interest to him. Of course, the selection of objects matters too. There's an everyday quality here: a paper bag, fruit, baked goods. These are the basic elements of nourishment, presented almost as geometrical studies. Consider the time in which Herbin was working. Everyday life was being transformed by industrialization. By using recognizable objects, and an economy of representation, he acknowledged this shift in society. In the end, Herbin's "Still Life" reminds us of the significance of materials, and the impact of industry, inviting us to reconsider traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.