Wayne Thiebaud is an American artist whose depictions of commonplace objects, particularly sweet confections, have gained him the reputation as a contempoary master of the still life. Thiebaud's choice of the cut watermelon as the subject of this pastel seems, at first glance, a straightforward one given his oeuvre. The luscious red color of the melon's ripe flesh contrasts beautifully with the deep green of its skin, set against a pale pink background. Our attention, however, is drawn to the knife that is shown plunged into the top of the melon. The composition creates a rather startling tension and imparts an almost sinister meaning to the knife as more than just a utilitarian kitchen tool.