Fruit harvest is the theme of this vase painting. A two-part trunk spreads its leafy branches, formed into trellises, across the picture field. Two girls are climbing up it, on the left is a basket.
Unfortunately, the depiction of the fruits is ambiguous; some suggest wine. However, the depiction suggests espalier fruit rather than grapes or even olives. The tradition of vase paintings with men and women engaged in agricultural activities speaks in favour of the interpretation as apples. Men are usually depicted harvesting olives. Scenes with women in the orchard or harvesting (apples) are also a fixed type of image. The light-heartedness of the girls and the careful clothing during this activity refer to an erotic-marital context: garden and fruit as symbols of love. (AVS)
Former collection Erhart Kästner, Wolfenbüttel
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