The Perfect Symbol: Oranges in Art

    

    Oranges have grown to be a reoccurring symbol in art and literature. Paul Cezanne’s painting Still Life with Apples and Oranges displays an overflowing bowl of fruit, with orange tones controlling the viewers’ perspectives. The poem Oranges by Wendy Cope tells the reader a story of the joy the narrator feels sharing an abnormally large orange with their friends. In Greta Gerwig’s popular film rendition of the novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, a string of dried oranges is displayed in the March House, which caused the tradition of drying and stringing oranges to trend among the newer generations. The symbol of an orange has become an addiction for artists through the contrast in its representation of luxury, love, and indifference. 

Artists often use oranges as a sign of simple luxury. The March household in Little Women are far from wealthy. The stringing of oranges during the holidays is used as a decoration and natural perfume, which is a simple luxury the women enjoy. In traditional western Christmas celebrations, the orange was a common gift. Specifically, this gift was given in households farther away from the equator, where oranges are unable to thrive. In the modern economy and age, oranges are now more commonly found in grocery stores away from the equator and are no longer often given as gifts. However, it’s difficult for this fruit to lose its luxurious reputation. The flavor and scent of an orange evoke dopamine releases which cause it to be a comfort food for people, especially in cold weather. This is especially true when considering the warm weather and reminders of summer which are associated with oranges. The luxury of emotions is common muse for artists, who are known for speaking to the soul and mind as opposed to physical objects of capitalist societies. Other ways emotion is attached to oranges is through love. 

The average orange has about 10 even slices. Occasionally, a baby slice is hidden amongst the larger slices of the orange. This naturally makes oranges one of the most shareable fruits, making it perfect to pass around to company. In her poem, Wendy Cope says, “And that orange, it made me so happy, // As ordinary things often do….” However, it clearly isn’t just the orange that the poet is talking about. Earlier in the poem, she references how the size of the orange made her and her friends join each other in laughter. It gave them something to bond over. When writing about joy, artists look for physical items, such as an orange, that bond them to that emotion. The acidic sweetness of an orange gives a taste to the emotion. The peeling of an orange gives a touch sensation which lingers on the scent of one’s fingertips immediately following the consumption of an orange. And, for Wendy Cope, the laughter of her friend is the sound which the orange reminds her of. This is where almost any symbol comes from in the worlds of art and literature. 

            There is one aspect of an orange which contradicts the luxury and love which they are known for. The color orange is often a symbol of seclusion and evil. In Jos Charles’ poem From Feeld, the narrator uses the symbol of an orange sweater as a representation of the seclusion they feel as a transgender person. This indifference between the color and it’s two meanings of love and seclusion makes an orange the perfect absurd symbol for an artist. Any good art piece or story is multifaceted and provokes a scale of emotions. This allows for a sense of relatability for a viewer regardless of what stage they are at in their life. A queer child being raised in an unaccepting household might relate to the seclusion and evil of an orange in that particular aspect of their life. But, when the same queer child finds a joyful home in friendships within the LGBTQ+ community, they can relate to the love an orange symbolizes. 

                There is comfort in popping a seed from the pulp, from smelling the scent of an orange, and in sharing slices with friends. And yet, orange is a hated color and a secluded color. Orange is often portrayed as a symbol for the eviler twin of a red flag. The absurd fruit has been claimed time and time again by painters, sculptors, poets, novelists, filmmakers, and all mediums of art. The perfect symbol is an orange, and that is why artists are addicted to them.