Cup, Lemon and Tomato 1916

Editor: Here we have Renoir’s “Cup, Lemon and Tomato” from 1916, an oil painting that presents a humble assortment of everyday objects. There’s something incredibly intimate about it; the soft, almost blurred edges give it a very domestic, almost ephemeral feel. How do you interpret this work, especially considering the time it was made? Curator: The intimate quality you noted is key. Remember, 1916 was in the thick of the First World War. While many artists were directly engaging with the conflict, Renoir retreats to the domestic sphere, focusing on these simple, almost childlike objects. It’s a deliberate turning away from the horrors of the time. How does this avoidance inform the image? Editor: So, instead of ignoring what’s happening, he's making a statement *through* the quietness of the painting? He is still acknowledging society, just from a distance. Curator: Precisely. These objects – the cup, the lemon, the tomato – they are symbols of everyday life, a reminder of simple pleasures in a time of immense upheaval. They lack grandiose symbolism; their symbolism derives from their place of prominence and subject value, amplified by their inherent qualities as *symbols*. How does that strike you in relation to Renoir's career? Editor: Well, he's known for painting the beautiful side of life, so in this context, even a basic still life becomes a form of resistance or maybe an assertion of hope against a backdrop of destruction? Curator: Exactly. Consider the institutions showcasing Renoir during this period, spaces of bourgeois comfort far removed from the trenches. This painting, in its seeming simplicity, reinforces a desire for normalcy and continuity, fulfilling the needs of his patrons who were deeply invested in such a society and structure. This makes "Cup, Lemon and Tomato" an exercise in soft rebellion. Editor: I never would have considered still life painting could offer some sort of social commentary in the face of world events. This has given me a totally new perspective on Renoir’s work! Curator: And understanding those societal pressures allows us to appreciate the nuance within what might seem like a simple arrangement of fruit and dishware.