Still life with soup tureen

This still life, which belonged to Pissarro, was painted by CŽzanne at a time when he was very close to that artist whom he considered his mentor and his friend. One of his paintings “The Gisors Road, The House of Pre Galien”, appears on the left in the background of this composition together with another canvas showing some geese.
These indications allow us to believe that this picture was probably painted at Pissarro's home in Pontoise. The painter has gathered on a flowery tablecloth, a few familiar objects: an earthenware soup tureen, a bottle of wine and a wicker basket bulging with freshly gathered yellow and red apples. At once simple and rustic, this composition, with its sparkling colours, is a homage to the pleasures of the countryside. It is also a tribute to Pissarro expressing the artistic admiration CŽzanne felt for him.