An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Abundant Fruit1858
Artist: Severin Roesen
American (born Germany), 1815 - 1872
still life with grapes of various colors and grapevines and leaves, melon, peaches, raspberries, blackberries, plums, oranges, apples, lemon; goblet with water with lemon at L; basket at center bottom, white pedestal plate at top left
39 x 49 in. (99.06 x 124.46 cm) (sight)
55 7/16 x 66 1/2 in. (140.81 x 168.91 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
United States
19th century
Gift of Don and Diana Lee Lucker
In the gentle embrace of a quiet afternoon, we find ourselves at a table, laden with vibrant fruits glistening in the soft light. Yet, these fruits, though they seem to mingle in harmonious abundance, do not share the same moment of ripeness; they would never have gathered together on the tables of a 19th-century feast. Here lies the intention of the artist, who chose to weave a tale of symbolism rather than mere realism. Each piece of fruit, vivid and lush, speaks profoundly of the overflowing abundance and newfound prosperity that marked the early days of the young United States.
At the helm of this splendid composition is Severin Roesen, a name that echoes through the halls of American art. How fascinating it is to think of him—a German immigrant, once a porcelain painter by trade—crossing the ocean to make his mark on a new land. It was around the year 1848 when he arrived, a dreamer in the bustling cities of New York and Philadelphia, before finding his heart's home in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he would live until his final days.
What truly sets this work apart is not just its beauty but its sheer size—a canvas that commands attention and reverence. In fact, only six paintings of such grand scale are known to belong to Roesen's hand, making this piece a rare and precious gem. As we gaze upon the fruit before us, we are reminded not only of the artist's mastery but also of the spirit of a nation blooming in its youth—a story told through color, light, and the richness of life itself.
About the artist
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