Artist:
Raphaelle Peale
(American, 1774 - 1825)
Still Life with Peach Halves
Medium: Oil on canvas formerly mounted on wood panel
Date: 1822
Dimensions:
12 5/8 × 14 3/16 in. (32.1 × 36 cm)
Accession number: 83.23
Label Copy:
Raphaelle Peale was among the many talented children of Charles Willson Peale, a leading artist, scientist, and public intellectual of the time, who founded the first museum in this country. Philadelphia was a center for art and science during the early nineteenth century, and the Peale family pursued interests in both vocations. In addition to the stylistic contributions that Raphaelle Peale made to the development of still-life painting in the United States, his fruit pictures record the era’s horticultural achievements. His father’s Belfield estate, a farm located just outside of Philadelphia, was likely the source of many of the fruits Peale depicted.
Curatorial RemarksConsidered the first serious still-life painter in America, Raphaelle Peale was the oldest son of Charles Willson Peale, an artist and founder of the first museum in America. Raphaelle Peale first exhibited still life paintings in 1795, and in 1812 his work received critical praise at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Known as "tabletop still lifes," Peale's compositions feature forms arranged on an undecorated shelf or ledge, with a plain background. In "Still Life with Peach Halves," the subject is brightly lit, emphasizing the color and texture of the fruit.
Although there is debate regarding the author of this painting, examination with a microscope in 1990 revealed the initials "RP" in the original layer of paint.
In addition to the stylistic contributions that Raphaelle Peale made to the development of still life in the 19th century, his fruit pictures record the era’s horticultural achievements. Philadelphia was a center for art and science during the early 19th century, and the Peale family pursued interest in both vocations. Raphaelle’s father Charles Willson Peale’s Belfield estate, a farm located just outside of Philadelphia, was likely the source of many of the fruits Raphaelle depicted. Peaches were among his favorite subjects.
Peaches originated in China and are believed to have been brought to the United States by Spanish missionaries in the 1700s. American Indian tribes are credited with migrating the seeds across the United States. Although peach trees are believed to have grown on Peale’s estate, and it is known that wealthy gentleman farmers on the East Coast were growing fruit by the late 18th century, American farmers did not begin commercial production until the 19th century.
Although there is debate regarding the author of this painting, examination with a microscope in 1990 revealed the initials "RP" in the original layer of paint.
In addition to the stylistic contributions that Raphaelle Peale made to the development of still life in the 19th century, his fruit pictures record the era’s horticultural achievements. Philadelphia was a center for art and science during the early 19th century, and the Peale family pursued interest in both vocations. Raphaelle’s father Charles Willson Peale’s Belfield estate, a farm located just outside of Philadelphia, was likely the source of many of the fruits Raphaelle depicted. Peaches were among his favorite subjects.
Peaches originated in China and are believed to have been brought to the United States by Spanish missionaries in the 1700s. American Indian tribes are credited with migrating the seeds across the United States. Although peach trees are believed to have grown on Peale’s estate, and it is known that wealthy gentleman farmers on the East Coast were growing fruit by the late 18th century, American farmers did not begin commercial production until the 19th century.
On view