Plátanos amarillos 1893 

Editor: Hanging before us is Francisco Oller's oil painting, *Plátanos amarillos*, or Yellow Plantains. There isn't a confirmed date of production. I'm immediately struck by how realistic the bananas appear, the contrast of the bright yellow with the unripe green against the drab backdrop creates a simple yet strong statement. What captures your attention the most in this piece? Curator: Well, the first thing that strikes me is the sheer *banananess* of it all. Seriously, aren't they glorious? But beyond that, there's a tension that bubbles beneath the surface. The piece pulses with Oller's relationship with his homeland Puerto Rico; these bananas aren’t just lunch – they’re a symbol. Oller wasn’t just painting plantains, he was immortalizing a piece of his soul. How about you – did you know Oller’s involvement in the Impressionist movement? Editor: I didn't! The naturalism distracted me a bit; I hadn’t placed him in the same sphere as the Impressionists. So, do you think the painting is more about symbolism than style? Curator: It is not merely one or the other, my friend. It’s both, wrestling and playing together. He learned about Impressionism from the greats in Europe, but filtered it all through his Puerto Rican lens. What do you see in the texture of the painting, especially the backdrop? Editor: Now that you mention it, I see how he incorporated broken strokes, the technique gives off an interesting diffused atmospheric perspective! I see it. Curator: Precisely! A feast for the eyes and the spirit, isn’t it? Oller took something as simple as hanging bananas and elevated it. Next time I see plantains at the market, I know what I'll be thinking about. Editor: Definitely. I think I understand more how art can reflect more than just a surface representation now!