“Fruit and a Jug on a Table” is an artwork created by Jean Metzinger in 1918, situated within the Synthetic Cubism movement, and classified under the genre of still life.
The artwork captures an assemblage of geometric forms and planes, characteristic of Synthetic Cubism. At the center, there is a jug, executed in yellow and white hues, establishing the primary focal point. This jug is artfully juxtaposed with various pieces of fruit, depicted in shades of green and blue, resting on different abstracted surfaces around it. Additionally, a bottle with the lettering “BANYU” is discernible amidst the compositional elements, which contribute to the fragmented and multi-perspective nature of the piece. Shadowy and vibrant colors interplay throughout the composition, demonstrating a meticulous balance between light and dark, as well as a profound understanding of texture and form. The entirety is set against a backdrop of interlocking shapes and muted blues and blacks, grounded by an underlying still-life motif that signifies calm and introspection.
