James Peale (1749-1831) Still Lifes

1795 Detail. James Peale (1739-1741). Artist & His Family. Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia.

 James Peale (1749-1831) painted miniatures, portraits, & historical paintings in his early career. By the turn of the century, he began to explore still lifes & landscapes. Between this period & the end of his life, when he painted the fearsome sublime in landscapes of thunderstorms, violently uprooted trees, & towering mountains, Peale painted exquisite neo-classical still lifes.  James Peale, who straddles both the 18th & 19th century, painted many of the fruits & vegetables grown in American gardens in the early 19th century. Here are a few of my favorites.

James Peale (1749-1831). A Porcelain Bowl with Fruit.

James Peale (1749-1831). Still Life with An Abundance of Fruit.

James Peale (1749-1831). c 1820 Still Life Balsam Apples and Vegetables.

James Peale (1749-1831). c 1824 Still Life.

James Peale (1749-1831). c 1824 Still Life with Chinese Basket.

James Peale (1749-1831). c 1824 Still Life with Chinese Export Basket.

James Peale (1749-1831). c 1824 Still Life with Watermelon

James Peale (1749-1831). c 1829 Still Life.

James Peale (1749-1831). c 1829 Still Life with Fruit on a Tabletop.

James Peale (1749-1831). Fruit in a Basket.

James Peale (1749-1831). Fruits of Autumn.

James Peale (1749-1831). Still Life with Apples, Grapes, Pear.

James Peale (1749-1831). Still Life with Grapes and Apples on a Plate.

James Peale (1749-1831). Vegetable Still Life.