Fruit and Flowers in a Willow Basket, Antoine Berjon
This picture by Antoine Berjon is emblematic of the efforts of certain artists from Lyon, who used the flower motif. Influenced by the bouquets of Dutch and Flemish artists who developed the art of still life from the 17th century onward, the painter here displays his technical virtuosity and ability to imitate the elements of this exceptional bouquet. Berjon sought to create illusion by painting life-sized fruit and flowers to a greater extent than the northern masters did.
Each component can be precisely identified. A little fly has settled on the melon, making the depiction extraordinarily realistic, even though tulips and poppies do not bloom at the same time of year.
