Artwork
Still Life - Strawberries, Nuts, &c.
Still Life - Strawberries, Nuts, &c. is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist Raphaelle Peale. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1822, this oil painting by Raphaelle Peale presents a modest tabletop composition. A glass jar brims with vivid red strawberries, beside a white pitcher, a yellow lemon, and a bowl spilling hazelnuts and chestnuts. A tiny cup bearing a painted scene rests on a saucer, all set against a dark backdrop that isolates the objects.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on everyday foodstuffs, arranging fruit and nuts in a quiet, domestic setting. By emphasizing the textures of the strawberry skins, the lemon’s wrinkled peel, and the scattered nuts, Peale invites close observation of ordinary materials, reflecting the early American interest in documenting the familiar and the abundant.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a restrained palette and careful modeling of light. Subtle chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, with the dark background allowing the bright colors of the strawberries and lemon to emerge. The clear glass of the jar captures reflections, while the delicate brushwork renders the varied surfaces of the objects.
History & Provenance
Raphaelle Peale, recognized as the first professional American still‑life painter, produced this piece during his brief career. The painting entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection, where it remains on view, representing an early example of American folk‑art still life in a major public institution.
Context
The composition aligns with the American folk art movement of the early 19th century, which favored straightforward, unembellished depictions of everyday life. Peale’s focus on simple, domestic subjects mirrors a broader cultural shift toward valuing the material culture of the young United States.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Raphaelle Peale (sometimes spelled Raphael Peale; February 17, 1774 – March 4, 1825) is considered the first professional American painter of still-life.
