« LES FRAISES GIVRÉES » by Pierre-Yves Russo

A master of chiaroscuro, Pierre-Yves Russo explains the genesis of his artwork
“LES FRAISES GIVRÉES”.

“It all started with a commission, the kind of commission I like best: to create a work on a given theme, but with total freedom in the way it is approached. In this case, all the conditions are there to surpass oneself,” confides the artist.

For a long time, the painter imagined these strawberries frosted in different lights, before the composition imposed itself: a stone entablature, a small wicker basket and the strawberries placed inside. On top of the basket, a soft green leaf enhances the vermilion of the fruit.
The inspiration for this modern new creation came from Jean Siméon Chardin’s national treasure “LE PANIER DE FRAISES DES BOIS”, acquired by the Louvre last month for a record price of 24.3 million euros!