"Kitchen Fruit Basket" by Robert Wymer is a visually rich and intellectually engaging oil painting on canvas, masterfully presented in a sophisticated walnut frame with a teak veneer and elegantly set off by velvet matting. This piece exemplifies Wymer's signature blend of graphic clarity, allegorical depth, and a profound appreciation for craft and culture.
Wymer, a third-generation artist, carries forward a legacy of meticulous artistry, evident in the painting's ground, which is prepared using traditional rabbit skin glue gesso—a nod to Old Master techniques that ensures both longevity and a radiant luminosity to the paint layers. His work, which he describes as "decorative, yet aspiring to weightiness," captures his nuanced observations of contemporary life.
The composition centers around a seated nude figure, her back turned, creating a sense of intimate contemplation within a vibrant domestic scene. Wymer's adherence to Christopher Alexander's "pattern language" is beautifully expressed through the tiered wire fruit baskets, laden with vivid produce, and the intricate decorative elements that punctuate the space. A distinct cultural homage is paid through the inclusion of a striking ceramic bird in the upper left and a framed pañuelo-inspired folk art piece in the upper right, weaving a rich tapestry of Mexican art influences into the narrative. Notably, an everyday grater is subtly integrated into the still life, transforming a functional object into a point of artistic intrigue.
Wymer paints exclusively from life, a practice that infuses "Kitchen Fruit Basket" with an immediate authenticity and a palpable connection to his subjects. The work navigates contrasts and contradictions, marrying the familiar with the enigmatic, and inviting viewers to explore the layers of meaning embedded within its beautifully rendered forms. This painting is not merely a still life; it is a thoughtful dialogue between design, culture, and the human experience.
