While Still Life with Apples and Vase of Primroses by Paul Cézanne and Still Life with Skull and Pen by Pieter Claesz vary in time period, and therefore in style and composition, the message they portray is similar. Cezanne and Claesz differ greatly in technique, more precisely in perspective, brushwork, composition and realism. Their separation in time explains the discrepancies in technique but surprisingly does not affect the subject and message. The fact that Still Life with Apples and Vase of Primroses is a post-impressionist piece affects its visual composition. Post impressionism has a great influence on brushwork and realism. This piece in particular features quick gestural brushstrokes and is much more loosely painted than Still Life with Skull and Writing Quill. This piece also has an improper perspective, which is most noticeable when looking at the angle of the tabletop and the way each part of the plant faces forward and appears to teeter towards the viewer. Furthermore, the viewer has little or no knowledge of the space presented in the work. For how much negative space this piece presents, one would think that the room would play a larger role compositionally. The techniques of post-impressionist art were much more fluid and allowed for innovations such as variations in perspective and more characterized brushstrokes. All these factors give a sense of artificiality to this piece. The plant on the left seems too stiff to be real. In fact Cezanne painted from an artificial plant and its rigid qualities were conveyed in this work. Post-Impressionism, its freedom and rejection of classicism allowed Cézanne to develop a style. A clearly articulated style in... middle of paper......exits, the flesh will rot and the pen will be stretched out. We have a limited amount of time with the earthly gifts we have been given and are urged to repent before they fade away before we are assured of eternal life. Work cited Pieter Claesz: Still Life with a Skull and a Writing Quill" (49.107) In the Heilbrunn timeline of New York Art History: The Metropolitan Museum of Art"Paul Cézanne: Still Life with Apples and a Vase of Primroses " (51.112.1) In New York's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History: The Metropolitan Museum of Art "Baroque (1600 -1750)." Scholastic publishes literacy resources and children's books for children of all ages. Np, Web. April 13, 2014. Eitner, Lorenz. Preface. An Outline of 19th Century European Painting: From David through Cézanne. 7+ , 1973. Web.