1
_ID%3D380
Painting
Still Life with Fruit
John Francis, (Philadelphia, PA, 1808 - 1886, Jefferson, PA)
Francis, John
United States
1808 - 1886
Male
25 3/16 x 30 3/8 in. (64 x 77.2 cm)
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approximate installation dimensions
frame
Oil
Oil
1865
1865
1865
1800-1900, 19th century, fruit in art, paintings, still lifes
Painting
At first glance, it is tempting to interpret this painting as a celebration of mid-century American bounty. However, a second look finds half-eaten fruit pierced by a knife, bruised peaches, and a hungry hornet, images that suggest overripeness and decay. These elements can be traced back to 16th and 17th century Dutch still life traditions, particularly vanitas paintings that warned of the ephemeral nature of life.
Whether or not John Francis – originally an itinerant, self-taught portrait painter – was consciously invoking old master painting traditions, his involvement with the artistic community in Philadelphia would have exposed him to sophisticated subjects and tastes that, perhaps, he incorporated into his work.
[Gallery label text, 2009]
lower rightverso, lower right
1971.7
item
Memorial Art Gallery
9/8/1999
71.7TR1
transparency
4 x 5
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71.7SL1
slide
full
2 x 2
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glossy
full
8 x 10
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negative
full
4 x 5
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71.7DI1
digital image
Memorial Art Gallery
Imaging complete
4 x 5
10/30/2001
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