Artwork
Still Life with Oranges and Goblet of Wine
Still Life with Oranges and Goblet of Wine is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist John F. Peto. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:by the artist's daughter, Helen Peto Smiley, reverse: PAINTED BY MY FATHER / John Frederick Peto / Helen Peto Smiley
About this work
Technique & Style
[2] The composition arranges these objects in a balanced still‑life format, rendered with meticulous detail that characterizes Peto’s realistic approach.
The painting is an oil work executed on a wooden support, as recorded in the catalog entry for Still Life with Oranges and Goblet of Wine.[1] It belongs to the still‑life genre and portrays a goblet, an orange and a glass of wine, subjects also noted in the Wikidata entry for the work.[2] The composition arranges these objects in a balanced still‑life format, rendered with meticulous detail that characterizes Peto’s realistic approach. Measured at approximately 15.6 cm by 23.2 cm, the piece was created around 1850 and is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C.[2] Its provenance traces from the artist’s daughter to the Howards, a 1965 exhibition, a 1976 Davis & Long exhibition, and finally to the Mellons before bequest to the museum.
History & Provenance
John Frederick Peto painted Still Life with Oranges and Goblet of Wine in 1850 using oil on artist’s board. The work remained in the artist’s family, passing to his daughter Helen Peto Smiley in Island Heights, New Jersey, before being acquired by Mr. and Mrs. Frank T. Howard of Bryn Mawr, who exhibited it in 1965. In 1976 Davis & Long Co. included the painting in an exhibition, and it was sold in January 1977 to Paul and Rachel Mellon of Upperville, Virginia.
The Mellons later bequeathed the work to the National Gallery of Art, where it has been part of the collection since 1999.
The painting is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C., having entered the museum by bequest from Paul and Rachel Mellon in 1999. Its earlier ownership traced from the artist’s daughter Helen Peto Smiley to Frank T. Howard and his wife, who showed it at a 1965 exhibition, and later to Davis & Long Co., which featured it in a 1976 show before its sale to the Mellons. The work has thus been displayed publicly at least twice, reflecting its documented exhibition history.
Overview
Still Life with Oranges and Goblet of Wine is an oil painting by John F. Peto, executed on artist's board. The composition features a modest arrangement on a wooden surface, depicting three oranges alongside a wine goblet and a glass containing red wine. Peto’s meticulous rendering captures the interplay of light and shadow, highlighting the textures of the fruit and the reflective qualities of the glassware, creating a sense of quiet observation.
Subject & Meaning
Peto frequently focused on unassuming, everyday objects in his artistic practice, a characteristic evident in this still life. The arrangement of oranges and wine, common motifs in the genre, allows for an exploration of form, texture, and light. Such compositions often invite viewers to contemplate the beauty in the ordinary and reflect on the transient nature of domestic scenes, without necessarily conveying overt narrative or symbolic meaning.
Context
John F. Peto worked primarily in urban centers such as Philadelphia and New York during his career. Despite his active presence in these artistic hubs, he did not become formally associated with a prominent art school or movement of his time. This independent trajectory allowed him to develop a distinctive style, often characterized by his quiet still life compositions and his particular mastery of illusionistic painting techniques.
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Artist & collection
Artist
John Frederick Peto (May 21, 1854 – November 23, 1907) was an American trompe-l'œil ("fool the eye") painter who was long forgotten until his paintings were rediscovered along with those of fellow trompe-l'œil artist William Harnett.
