Corbeille de prunes et panier de fraises 1632

Louise Moillon made this painting, "Corbeille de prunes et panier de fraises," using oil on canvas, achieving a striking composition of shapes, color, and texture. The meticulous arrangement guides your eye through the juxtaposition of forms. The plums, round and abundant, contrast with the smaller, vibrant strawberries. Moillon constructs a visual rhythm using color: the deep reds and purples of the plums against the bright, saturated reds of the strawberries. This creates a semiotic system, where each fruit becomes a signifier of taste and visual pleasure. The geometric structure of the baskets provides a structured container for nature’s bounty, offering a sense of order. But note that a single fallen peach subtly disrupts this perfect arrangement, introducing a note of impermanence. Moillon's painting engages with philosophical ideas about nature, artifice, and the fleeting nature of beauty. Through her formal choices, she invites us to contemplate how we perceive and categorize the world around us.