Created in 1865, this oil painting is dominated primarily by the intense black and deep cloudy brown background that creates an ominous and eerie mood through out the painting. While highly contrasting with the shadowy background, the complexion of the fruit is still painted with a kind of dreary and murky color palate that echoes the background and underlying theme of temptation. The fruit, which is heavily shaded, seemingly emerges from an endless darkness and becomes the focal point of the painting and the main key in conveying the didactic message. Apples have many different connotations and symbolism attached to them. When traced back to Adam and eve, the apple comes to symbolize knowledge and the temptation of that which is forbidden. In addition, a pomegranate was often used as a sign of life and rebirth in much of Greek mythology. Ribot paints the pomegranate in his still life as rotten and decaying, suggesting that unnecessary extravagances and temptation represented by the four apples will lead to human down fall and is a reminder of ones mortality. The number “3” also plays an important role in the interpretation of this painting. The numbers “333” in the corner of the painting allude to biblical verses in which the angels come down to warn the people of God’s wrath. This further solidifies Ribot’s warning of falling victim to desire, as over indulgence is not only a dangerous slope, but also a disgrace to God. Anyone who strays from God’s intended path will elicit his vengeance. Furthermore, these numbers also reveal a secondary meaning to the work as they have also been used to represent a balance and unison between the mind, spirit, and body. Much like the equality in
Created in 1865, this oil painting is dominated primarily by the intense black and deep cloudy brown background that creates an ominous and eerie mood through out the painting. While highly contrasting with the shadowy background, the complexion of the fruit is still painted with a kind of dreary and murky color palate that echoes the background and underlying theme of temptation. The fruit, which is heavily shaded, seemingly emerges from an endless darkness and becomes the focal point of the painting and the main key in conveying the didactic message. Apples have many different connotations and symbolism attached to them. When traced back to Adam and eve, the apple comes to symbolize knowledge and the temptation of that which is forbidden. In addition, a pomegranate was often used as a sign of life and rebirth in much of Greek mythology. Ribot paints the pomegranate in his still life as rotten and decaying, suggesting that unnecessary extravagances and temptation represented by the four apples will lead to human down fall and is a reminder of ones mortality. The number “3” also plays an important role in the interpretation of this painting. The numbers “333” in the corner of the painting allude to biblical verses in which the angels come down to warn the people of God’s wrath. This further solidifies Ribot’s warning of falling victim to desire, as over indulgence is not only a dangerous slope, but also a disgrace to God. Anyone who strays from God’s intended path will elicit his vengeance. Furthermore, these numbers also reveal a secondary meaning to the work as they have also been used to represent a balance and unison between the mind, spirit, and body. Much like the equality in