The Grape (The Wine Maker)
Can something be both classical and modern?
This painting shows a young Bacchus-like figure hand-pressing grapes to make wine. This celebration of winemaking can be read as a symbol of California’s agricultural heritage. It perhaps also refers to the resurgence of California’s vineyards following the disastrous phylloxera aphid epidemic of the 1870s and 1880s, which affected the wine industry in Europe and the United States. The artist’s agricultural theme is complemented by the frame motif, which features California poppies.
\ Artist
Arthur Frank Mathews
Arthur Frank Mathews was a painter, architect, muralist, illustrator, publisher, craftsman, and designer. With his wife, Lucia, he created a decorative style unique to California. Born in Wisconsin, Mathews moved to Oakland with his family as a child. As a teenager he enrolled at the California School of Design to study painting—he later became the school’s director. After the earthquake and fire of 1906, Mathews established the Furniture Shop, which created furniture and decorative objects.
\ About
Oil on canvas
Gift of Mrs. Henrietta Ziele