Raphaelle Peale
American
Born into America’s premier artistic family of the time, Raphaelle Peale is acknowledged by many to be the first painter in the Unites States to specialize in the genre of still life. He is most known for painting small, intimate pictures of fruit, dessert, and other comestible offerings on tables placed invitingly close to the viewer’s space to inspire contemplation of the senses.
Born
1774
Died
1825
How is a still life like a portrait?
This picture demonstrates Peale’s mastery of representational painting. He captured the likeness of the blackberry, a notoriously wild plant that is difficult to tame, capturing each individual berry with exuberance and animation. He preserves the fruit in a fixed state, so that its perfection will endure long after its model has withered.
Medium
Oil on panel
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd
Item ID
1993.35.23
Dimensions
7 1/4 x 10 1/4 in. (18.4 x 26 cm)
Date
ca. 1813
Country
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William Michael Harnett (1886)
Salmon Trout and Smelt
Samuel Marsden Brookes (1873)
Upset
Joseph Decker (ca. 1887)
Study of a Pipe and…
William Michael Harnett (1874)
Still Life with Pitcher…
John Frederick Peto (ca. 1900)
Samuel Marsden Brookes…
Edwin Deakin (1876)
Artist name
Raphaelle Peale
Artwork location