Artwork
Still Life: Peaches, Apple, and Pear
Still Life: Peaches, Apple, and Pear is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist John A. Woodside. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The straightforward depiction suggests an appreciation for the simple, tangible qualities of fruit without overt narrative or allegorical meaning.
The painting presents a modest still-life composition centered on three pieces of fruit, an apple, a peach, and a pear, arranged on a surface that emphasizes their natural forms. Executed in oil on wood in 1825, the work belongs to the still-life genre and is housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. By isolating these everyday edibles, Woodside aligns the piece with the tradition of American still-life painting that seeks to capture the quiet dignity of domestic abundance through careful observation of texture and light.
The straightforward depiction suggests an appreciation for the simple, tangible qualities of fruit without overt narrative or allegorical meaning.
History & Provenance
John A. Woodside created Still Life: Peaches, Apple, and Pear in 1825. The artwork is an oil painting executed on a wood panel and measures 24.8 cm in height by 31.1 cm in width. While the specific details of its original commission and early ownership are not documented in the provided sources, its modern provenance culminates in its placement within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing. No specific exhibition history, loan records, or accession number are available in the provided sources.
Overview
Still Life: Peaches, Apple, and Pear is an oil painting on wood, representing a significant early example of American still life art. Created by an artist named Woodside, this work is housed within the American Wing collection. It depicts a modest arrangement of common fruits, offering insight into a less conventional artistic subject for its era.
Technique & Style
The artist demonstrates considerable skill in rendering the textures and forms of the fruit. Through careful manipulation of oil paint on wood, Woodside captures the subtle variations in surface. Notably, the delicate fuzz on the peaches is depicted with such precision that the play of light suggests a tangible softness, inviting the viewer to perceive the fruits' tactile qualities.
Artist & collection
