Apple and lemon 1930

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin painted this still life of an apple and lemon in oil paint. The juicy lemon sits halved on a decorative plate, contrasting with the solitary apple, all set against this wonderful pink and purple checkerboard surface. I can imagine Petrov-Vodkin setting up this scene in his studio, carefully arranging the fruit and plate, then working slowly, mixing his colours, and feeling his way through the composition. The way he handles the paint is wonderful. It's not too thick, but not too thin, just enough to give a sense of texture and light. The checkerboard pattern is so carefully done. What would it be like to paint that? It’s like he's playing with perspective here, pushing and pulling the space, making the surface both flat and deep at the same time. I admire Petrov-Vodkin's commitment to exploring the possibilities of painting, to finding new ways of seeing and representing the world. It's a reminder that painting is an ongoing conversation, a continuous exchange of ideas and inspiration across time.