"Still Life with a Watermelon and Pomegranates," created by Paul Cézanne in 1900, is a prime example of the artist's unique approach to still life paintings in his later career.
 
In this work, Cézanne presents a composition of a cut watermelon and pomegranates arranged on a table. The objects are rendered in a substantial, solid manner with emphasis on their geometric forms. This focus on the structural elements of the composition is one of the characteristics that make Cézanne a critical figure in the transition from 19th-century Impressionism to 20th-century Cubism.
The fruits are not merely illustrated in a decorative manner; instead, they are simplified into basic geometric forms – the cut watermelon section resembles a semi-circle, and the pomegranates take the form of spheres. This simplification allows Cézanne to highlight the volume and solidity of the objects.
 
Moreover, Cézanne's use of color in this painting is remarkable. He does not solely use light and shadow to create depth and volume but also employs contrasting colors to enhance the three-dimensionality of the objects. The intense red of the watermelon and pomegranates set against the muted background intensifies the impression of depth in the painting.
Another notable feature in Cézanne's work, visible in this painting, is his manipulation of perspective. The tabletop seems to tilt forward, and the arrangement of objects doesn't strictly adhere to traditional linear perspective.
 
"Still Life with a Watermelon and Pomegranates" is a testament to Cézanne's revolutionary approach to still life painting, where he sought to express the underlying structure of nature. His work profoundly influenced the development of modern art, particularly the Cubist movement, led by artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.