Bowl of Apples on a Table

By 1913, the freedom and spontaneity of Henri Matisse’s early Fauvist compositions had evolved into a more structured approach influenced by Cubism. This shift is evident in the canvas that we present today, where a seemingly simple still life—a bowl of apples on a pedestal table set before a curtain or louvered door—takes on striking presence and power through its restrained geometry and frontal composition. The sweeping curve of the tabletop and the stylized, flattened form of its legs anchor the work in a tightly balanced, symmetrical design. Yet, despite this formal rigor, Matisse’s poetic use of color remains central. The apples, radiant in their vivid hues, appear to glow from within their glaringly yellow bowl.

P.S. Here's Henri Matisse in 10 paintings! Are you familiar with all these works? 

P.P.S. Henri Matisse is [obviously] featured in our newest postcard set. Can you guess which artwork it is?