Still Life with Crab Apples and Grapes 1888

Joseph Decker made this still life with oil on canvas, but when we look at it we have to ask: what does a painting of fruit mean? Throughout art history, artists have used still life to explore ideas about beauty, mortality, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. This painting from the United States presents a collection of crab apples and grapes. Look closely: some of the fruit have blemishes. Decker was associated with the American Impressionist movement, which was influenced by European art but sought to develop a uniquely American style. By painting what was in front of them, American artists could express the values and experiences of their own culture. Perhaps the painting reminds the viewer of the seasonal abundance of nature in the United States. To understand this artwork better, you might consider its art historical context, learn more about American Impressionism, or investigate the artist's life and career. Art is never made in a vacuum.