Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge
Dublin Core
Title
Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge
Description
"Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge," oil on a 105 x 84cm canvas dated to around 1603, depicts various fruits including grapes, pomegranates, watermelon, and more sitting atop a stone ledge [1]. The painting is thought to have been created in Caravaggio's personal residence [2].
The painting features Caravaggio's iconic theatrical diagonal lighting, adding a thrust of motion to still objects. Several of the fruits, such as the melons, are sliced and spilling out almost as if they are moving. No single fruit is in focus; instead a variety of fruits in different shapes, sizes, and colors comprise the image. Contrastingly, Garzoni's "Plate of Figs" focuses on a singular produce and embraces the stillness. Caravaggio's use of oil paints allows for strongly pigmented, glossier colors adding a dramatic feel to his painting, while the use of gouache in Garzoni's piece retains a matte finish and utilizes texture from water lends it a more grounded, natural appearance. Similarly, the significantly larger size of Caravaggio's still life adds to its theatrical grandiose feel as compared to Garzoni's miniature. Caravaggio's still life is more representative of themes during the Baroque period at large, while Garzoni's use of medium, painting style, and focus creates a more naturalistic message.
[1] “Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge.” Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge by Caravaggio. Caravaggio.net. Accessed October 14, 2021. http://www.caravaggio.net/still-life-with-fruit-on-a-stone-ledge/.
[2] De Groft, Aaron, ed. “Caravaggio Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge.” Papers of the Muscarelle Museum of Art 1 (2010): 1–160.
The painting features Caravaggio's iconic theatrical diagonal lighting, adding a thrust of motion to still objects. Several of the fruits, such as the melons, are sliced and spilling out almost as if they are moving. No single fruit is in focus; instead a variety of fruits in different shapes, sizes, and colors comprise the image. Contrastingly, Garzoni's "Plate of Figs" focuses on a singular produce and embraces the stillness. Caravaggio's use of oil paints allows for strongly pigmented, glossier colors adding a dramatic feel to his painting, while the use of gouache in Garzoni's piece retains a matte finish and utilizes texture from water lends it a more grounded, natural appearance. Similarly, the significantly larger size of Caravaggio's still life adds to its theatrical grandiose feel as compared to Garzoni's miniature. Caravaggio's still life is more representative of themes during the Baroque period at large, while Garzoni's use of medium, painting style, and focus creates a more naturalistic message.
[1] “Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge.” Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge by Caravaggio. Caravaggio.net. Accessed October 14, 2021. http://www.caravaggio.net/still-life-with-fruit-on-a-stone-ledge/.
[2] De Groft, Aaron, ed. “Caravaggio Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge.” Papers of the Muscarelle Museum of Art 1 (2010): 1–160.
Creator
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
Source
De Groft, Aaron, ed. “Caravaggio Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge.” Papers of the Muscarelle Museum of Art 1 (2010): 1–160.
“Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge.” Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge by Caravaggio. Caravaggio.net. Accessed October 14, 2021. http://www.caravaggio.net/still-life-with-fruit-on-a-stone-ledge/.
“ArtsViewer.com.” Caravaggio, picture Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge 1605-1610 | ArtsViewer.com. Accessed October 14, 2021. http://artsviewer.com/caravaggio-40.html.
“Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge.” Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge by Caravaggio. Caravaggio.net. Accessed October 14, 2021. http://www.caravaggio.net/still-life-with-fruit-on-a-stone-ledge/.
“ArtsViewer.com.” Caravaggio, picture Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge 1605-1610 | ArtsViewer.com. Accessed October 14, 2021. http://artsviewer.com/caravaggio-40.html.
Publisher
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Date
1603
Contributor
Meena Gudapati
Rights
Denver Art Museum
Format
Oil on canvas, 105 x 84cm
Type
Painting
Coverage
Denver Art Museum, Denver, USA
Files
Citation
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, “Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge,” ARTHIST 256 - Italian Baroque Art - Fall 2021, accessed October 22, 2026, https://www.baroque.dahvc.org/fall-2021/items/show/264.