Melon and Lemon

c. 1900

French 19th Century

Associated Names
French 19th Century

Painter

This painting shows a large yellow lemon resting upright next to a wide slice of yellow fruit on top of a white plate. A long, light-green stem emerges from the top of the lemon, and several dark green leaves sprout from it. Under the plate is a draped white tablecloth that is painted with hints of light blue and green. A silver butter knife is on the tablecloth in front of the fruit plate. In the background, colorful patterns stand out against a gray wall. The patterns are mainly floral designs in shades of orange, light pink, purple, and yellow.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on canvas on wood

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 36.8 x 29.9 cm (14 1/2 x 11 3/4 in.)
    framed: 58.4 x 51.1 x 7.3 cm (23 x 20 1/8 x 2 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1970.17.33

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Capt. Edward H. Molyneux [1891-1974], Paris, by 1952; sold 15 August 1955 to Ailsa Mellon Bruce [1901-1969], New York; bequest 1970 to NGA.
[1] Provenance according to NGA curatorial records and the Ailsa Mellon Bruce notebook now in NGA archives.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1952

  • French Paintings from the Molyneux Collection, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1952, unnumbered checklist, as by Gauguin.

1956

  • Hampton National Historic Site, Towson, 1956, as Still Life by Gauguin.

1958

  • Paintings from the Collection of Mrs. Mellon Bruce, Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach, 1958, no. 28, as Still Life by Gauguin.

1961

  • French Paintings of the Nineteenth Century from the Collections of Mrs. Mellon Bruce, California Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco, 1961, no. 20, as Still Life by Gauguin.

1990

  • Extended loan for use by Secretary Jack Kemp, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C., 1990-1993.

Bibliography

1975

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Summary Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1975: 138, repro.

1985

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1985: 28, repro.

Inscriptions

falsely signed and dated, lower left: P Gauguin 91

Wikidata ID

Q20190725

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