Anthelme Eugène Grobon (1820 - 1878), Still Life With Fruits

Oil on canvas. Signed lower right. 38 x 46 cm.

In this painting, Anthelme Eugène Grobon showcases his remarkable talent for the meticulous depiction of fruit and textures. Set against a dark, muted background, two orangey-hued peaches occupy the foreground, adorned with delicate droplets of dew suggesting early morning freshness.

To their right, a bumpy squash with pale green skin has been sliced in half, revealing a vibrant orange flesh that catches the light. Several bunches of grapes—one deep purple, the other almost translucent yellow—are arranged on a rocky ground, offering a sensory feast. Shimmering vine leaves, in shades of green, brown, and autumnal red, frame the scene and highlight the subtle balance between abundance and harmony.

Raking light heightens the contrasts and gives the volumes a sculptural quality. Deep shadows emphasize the roundness of the fruit, while the moss-speckled rocky ground enhances the impression of tangible realism. Every detail, from the fine veining of the leaves to the shimmering highlights on the grapes, reveals the painter’s keen observation and command of composition.

Trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Lyon and working closely with his brother François Frédéric Grobon, Eugène Grobon developed a style influenced by botanical lithography—a field in which he excelled. This background is evident in the precision of his drawing, the accuracy of detail, and the faithful rendering of vegetal textures. Inspired by Pierre-Joseph Redouté and Antoine Berjon, the Grobon brothers fused art and science, careful observation and aesthetic pursuit, as seen in their lithographic plates and horticultural illustrations.

Beyond technical virtuosity, this still life invites contemplation of everyday beauty and ephemerality. The ripe, radiant fruit speaks to nature’s richness, but also to the fleeting nature of life—a classic theme in still-life painting. The work emanates a tranquil, almost hushed atmosphere, in which each element seems frozen in a suspended moment, urging the viewer to reflect on the passage of time.

This painting perfectly exemplifies Grobon’s art, where scientific precision serves the poetry of vision. Through balanced composition, masterful use of light, and realistic detail, Eugène Grobon establishes himself as one of the leading figures of 19th-century Lyonnais still life, heir to a tradition where close observation meets artistic sensibility.