Creation Context

Van Gogh painted this still life shortly after his release from the hospital, where he was recovering from the tumultuous period following Paul Gauguin's departure from Arles. During this time, he was also concerned about making money through the sale of his paintings, which likely influenced his choice of subject matter.

Composition and Elements

The painting features nine oranges and lemons arranged in a shallow wicker basket, set against a backdrop of dark green, spiky cypress branches. A pair of cobalt-blue garden gloves is prominently placed in the foreground. Van Gogh was drawn to the shapes, hues, and textures of the citrus fruits, the weave of the basket, and the spiky branches. The inclusion of the blue gloves added an 'air of chic' to the painting, as mentioned in his letter to his brother Theo.

Artistic Style

The painting showcases Van Gogh's distinctive use of color and expressive paint application. He meticulously captured the details of the fruits' skin, the branches' spiky needles, and the limp material of the worn gloves. This attention to detail highlights his original sense of color and richly expressive painting style.

Personal Significance

In the letter to Theo where he mentions this painting, Van Gogh also discusses the melancholic departure of his friend Joseph Roulin, who was leaving for a new post in Marseilles. This period was emotionally challenging for Van Gogh, who would soon experience another mental breakdown and return to the hospital.

Ownership and Legacy

The painting was purchased by Rachel 'Bunny' Mellon and her husband Paul Mellon in 1962. Bunny Mellon, an avid horticulturalist and landscape designer, likely appreciated the painting's themes of pruning and fruit gathering. The painting remained in their home until Paul Mellon donated it to the National Gallery of Art in 1999. It remained with Bunny Mellon until her death in 2014.