Artwork
Still Life of Fruit
Still Life of Fruit is an oil painting. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a genre piece, the subject matter focuses entirely on the arrangement of these natural objects, a common theme in 19th-century American painting.
Created in 1872 by an American 19th-century artist, the work is classified as a still life painting that depicts fruit. As a genre piece, the subject matter focuses entirely on the arrangement of these natural objects, a common theme in 19th-century American painting. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., holds the work in its collection, where it is cataloged specifically for its representation of fruit.
While the visual content is straightforward, the classification within the still life tradition suggests an exploration of form, texture, and the transient nature of organic produce typical of the era. The painting measures 30.5 by 40.5 centimeters and is executed in oil on wood, emphasizing the material qualities of the depicted subject.
Technique & Style
Created in 1872, Still Life of Fruit is an oil painting executed on a wood support. The work measures 30.5 cm in height and 40.5 cm in width, presenting a formal arrangement of fruit within the still life genre. As an American 19th-century piece, the artist employed oil paints to achieve the depiction of the subject matter on the wooden panel.
The physical dimensions and medium define the object's material presence within the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
History & Provenance
The work titled "Still Life of Fruit" is an oil on wood painting by an American 19th‑century artist, created in 1872 (dated 1872‑01‑01 per the catalog record). Its dimensions are 30.5 × 40.5 cm. The provenance traces from Massachusetts, where it was held by John Bihler and Henry Coger of Ashley Falls; it was sold in 1961 to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, who later gifted it to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1967. The painting remains in the Gallery’s collection. No documentation of a specific commission exists in the available sources.
Still Life of Fruit is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Its documented provenance traces to Massachusetts, where it was owned by John Bihler and Henry Coger of Ashley Falls, Massachusetts. In 1961, Bihler and Coger sold the painting to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, who later gave it to the National Gallery of Art in 1967. No exhibition history beyond this collection history is recorded in the available sources.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Still Life of Fruit, presents a modest arrangement of produce on a wooden surface. The composition features grapes, peaches, and a pear, rendered with a soft, luminous quality. The artist captures the subtle play of light, evoking the impression of natural fruit illuminated by a gentle morning glow. The work exemplifies the genre's focus on everyday objects.
Context
The absence of an artist's signature on this work reflects a common practice within the still life genre during the period of its creation. Many artists specializing in such domestic scenes did not routinely sign their panels, particularly for works intended for a broader market rather than specific commissions. The thin wood panel also suggests a typical material choice for these compositions.
Artist & collection
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