🖼️American Art – Before 1865 Unit 9 – American Still Life Painting

Historical Context

• Still life painting emerged as a distinct genre in the United States during the early 19th century, coinciding with the country's rapid economic growth and increasing cultural sophistication
• The rise of the middle class and the growth of cities created a demand for affordable, decorative art that could adorn the homes of the newly prosperous (e.g., merchants, professionals)
• Still life paintings were often commissioned by patrons or created for the open market, reflecting the commercialization of art in the United States
• The genre was influenced by European still life traditions, particularly those of the Dutch Golden Age and the French Academy
  • American artists adapted these traditions to suit the tastes and values of their own society
• Still life painting was seen as a respectable and morally uplifting genre, as it focused on the beauty and bounty of nature and the material world
• The popularity of still life painting in the United States was also tied to the country's agrarian roots and its celebration of the abundance and fertility of the American landscape
• The genre played a role in shaping national identity, as it showcased the unique flora, fauna, and material culture of the United States

Key Artists and Their Works

• Raphaelle Peale (1774-1825)
  • Known for his meticulously rendered and scientifically accurate still life paintings of fruit, vegetables, and other natural objects
  • Notable works include "Blackberries" (1813) and "Venus Rising from the Sea—A Deception" (1822)
• James Peale (1749-1831)
  • Older brother of Raphaelle Peale and a prominent still life painter in his own right
  • Known for his elegant and harmonious compositions, often featuring flowers, fruit, and other objects arranged in classical poses
• Severin Roesen (1815-1872)
  • German-born artist who emigrated to the United States in the late 1840s and became one of the country's most celebrated still life painters
  • Known for his lush and abundant fruit and flower pieces, which often featured elaborate arrangements and vibrant colors
  • Notable works include "Still Life with Fruit" (1852) and "Flower Still Life with Bird's Nest" (1853)
• William Michael Harnett (1848-1892)
  • One of the most famous American still life painters of the late 19th century, known for his trompe l'oeil (French for "deceive the eye") technique
  • Created highly realistic and meticulously detailed paintings that often depicted ordinary objects (e.g., books, musical instruments, hunting gear) arranged in complex compositions
  • Notable works include "After the Hunt" (1885) and "The Old Violin" (1886)
• John F. Francis (1808-1886)
  • Known for his paintings of luncheon and dessert still lifes, which often featured elaborate place settings, delicate glassware, and sumptuous foods
  • Notable works include "Still Life with Cakes and Nuts" (1850) and "Still Life with Fruit and Champagne" (1855)

Techniques and Styles

• American still life painters employed a range of techniques and styles, from the highly realistic and detailed to the more impressionistic and expressive
• Trompe l'oeil, a technique that creates the illusion of three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface, was a popular style among American still life painters
  • Artists used careful shading, modeling, and perspective to create the illusion of depth and volume
• Many American still life painters also employed a technique known as "painting from nature," which involved working directly from live models or specimens rather than from memory or imagination
  • This approach allowed for greater accuracy and realism in the depiction of objects and textures
• Some artists, such as Raphaelle Peale, were influenced by the scientific naturalism of the Enlightenment and sought to create highly accurate and detailed representations of their subjects
• Others, such as Severin Roesen, were more interested in creating aesthetically pleasing and decorative compositions that celebrated the beauty and abundance of nature
• The use of light and shadow was an important element of American still life painting, with artists using careful modeling and shading to create a sense of depth and volume
• Many American still life painters also experimented with different brushstrokes and textures to create a sense of realism and tactility in their works
  • For example, the use of short, choppy brushstrokes could suggest the rough surface of a stone or the fuzzy texture of a peach

Symbolism and Themes

• American still life paintings often contained rich symbolism and themes that reflected the values, beliefs, and aspirations of the society in which they were created
• Many still life paintings celebrated the abundance and fertility of the American landscape, with overflowing baskets of fruit and flowers serving as symbols of the country's natural bounty
• Other works explored themes of temporality and the fleeting nature of life, with objects such as hourglasses, wilting flowers, and extinguished candles serving as reminders of the passage of time and the inevitability of death
• Some still life paintings also contained moral or didactic messages, with objects such as books, musical instruments, and scientific instruments serving as symbols of the virtues of learning, culture, and progress
• The inclusion of exotic or imported objects, such as Chinese porcelain or tropical fruits, could serve as a symbol of the growing wealth and cosmopolitanism of American society
• The arrangement of objects in a still life could also convey symbolic meaning, with the placement and juxtaposition of different elements suggesting relationships or contrasts between them
• Religious symbolism was also present in some American still life paintings, particularly in works that depicted objects associated with the Eucharist or other Christian rituals
• The use of light and shadow could also carry symbolic meaning, with the play of light on different objects suggesting the presence of a divine or spiritual force

Cultural Significance

• Still life painting played an important role in shaping American cultural identity in the 19th century
• The genre celebrated the abundance and prosperity of the young nation, showcasing the wealth of its natural resources and the ingenuity of its people
• Still life paintings also reflected the growing consumer culture of the United States, with their depictions of luxury goods and imported objects serving as symbols of the country's increasing wealth and sophistication
• The popularity of still life painting among the middle class reflected the democratization of art in the United States, as more people were able to afford and appreciate fine art in their homes
• Still life paintings also served as a form of cultural education, introducing Americans to new foods, objects, and ideas from around the world
• The genre played a role in the development of American art institutions, such as the National Academy of Design and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, which promoted still life painting as a respectable and important form of artistic expression
• Still life painting also had an impact on other artistic media, such as ceramics and textiles, which often featured still life motifs and compositions
• The legacy of American still life painting can be seen in the work of later artists, such as the Photorealists of the 20th century, who continued to explore the genre's themes of realism, symbolism, and material culture

Influences and Inspirations

• American still life painting was influenced by a range of artistic, cultural, and intellectual movements of the 19th century
• The genre was heavily influenced by European still life traditions, particularly those of the Dutch Golden Age and the French Academy
  • American artists adapted these traditions to suit the tastes and values of their own society, often incorporating uniquely American elements such as native fruits and flowers
• The scientific naturalism of the Enlightenment also had an impact on American still life painting, with artists such as Raphaelle Peale seeking to create highly accurate and detailed representations of their subjects
• The Romantic movement of the early 19th century, with its emphasis on emotion, imagination, and the beauty of nature, also influenced the development of American still life painting
• The Hudson River School, a group of American landscape painters who celebrated the sublime beauty of the American wilderness, also had an impact on still life painting, with artists such as Severin Roesen incorporating elements of the landscape into their compositions
• The Aesthetic movement of the late 19th century, with its emphasis on beauty, refinement, and the decorative arts, also influenced American still life painting, particularly in the work of artists such as John F. Francis
• The rise of photography in the mid-19th century also had an impact on still life painting, with some artists seeking to compete with the new medium by creating ever more realistic and detailed works
• The influence of Japanese art and design, which became popular in the West in the late 19th century, can also be seen in some American still life paintings, particularly in the use of asymmetrical compositions and flat, decorative patterns

Evolution and Impact

• American still life painting evolved significantly over the course of the 19th century, reflecting changes in American society, culture, and artistic tastes
• In the early 19th century, American still life painting was characterized by a focus on scientific accuracy and a celebration of the abundance and fertility of the American landscape
  • Artists such as Raphaelle Peale and James Peale created meticulously rendered and highly detailed paintings of fruit, flowers, and other natural objects
• As the century progressed, American still life painting became more decorative and aestheticized, with artists such as Severin Roesen creating lush and abundant compositions that celebrated the beauty of nature
• The late 19th century saw the rise of trompe l'oeil painting, with artists such as William Michael Harnett creating highly realistic and illusionistic works that challenged the viewer's perception of reality
• The influence of American still life painting can be seen in the work of later artists, such as the Photorealists of the 20th century, who continued to explore the genre's themes of realism, symbolism, and material culture
• American still life painting also had an impact on other artistic media, such as ceramics and textiles, which often featured still life motifs and compositions
• The genre played a role in shaping American cultural identity and in reflecting the values, beliefs, and aspirations of American society
• Today, American still life painting is celebrated as an important and enduring genre of American art, with works by key artists such as Raphaelle Peale, Severin Roesen, and William Michael Harnett considered masterpieces of the form

Notable Collections and Exhibitions

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has a significant collection of American still life paintings, including works by Raphaelle Peale, James Peale, and Severin Roesen
• The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. also has an important collection of American still life paintings, including works by Raphaelle Peale, Severin Roesen, and William Michael Harnett
• The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has a notable collection of American still life paintings, including works by Raphaelle Peale, James Peale, and Severin Roesen
• The Philadelphia Museum of Art has a significant collection of American still life paintings, particularly works by members of the Peale family, including Raphaelle Peale and James Peale
• The Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, Texas has a notable collection of American still life paintings, including works by Severin Roesen and William Michael Harnett
• The Art Institute of Chicago has a significant collection of American still life paintings, including works by Raphaelle Peale, James Peale, and William Michael Harnett
• Notable exhibitions of American still life painting have included "American Still Life: 1945-1983" at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston in 1983, "Raphaelle Peale: American Still Life" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1988, and "William M. Harnett" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1992
• The exhibition "Art and Appetite: American Painting, Culture, and Cuisine" at the Art Institute of Chicago in 2013-2014 explored the relationship between American still life painting and the history of food and dining in the United States