An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Still Life with Fruit, Cakes and Wine1821
Artist: Raphaelle Peale
American, 1774 - 1825
still life with plate with yellow apple, two frosted cakes, brown berries and an orange fruit, with leaves behind plate; small stemmed glass with pale yellow beverage at L
10 1/2 x 17 1/2 in. (26.67 x 44.45 cm) (sight)
14 3/4 x 21 3/4 in. (37.47 x 55.25 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on panel
Painting
United States
19th century
Gift of Don and Diana Lee Lucker
In the quiet of an artist's studio, as time ticked away gently like the drip of warm candle wax, Raphaelle Peale found his true calling in a genre of art that nestled in the corner of cultural esteem. This was a world awash with colors, fruits, and delicate details, yet it was a world that had not yet captured the hearts of professional artists. In a society where portraits—the grand depictions of men and women, enshrined in their finery—reigned supreme, still lifes were cast aside, often seen as mere practice for amateurs.
Raphaelle's father, Charles Willson Peale, was a revered portrait painter whose brush could immortalize the influential figures of the day. The Peale family was synonymous with prestige in the art world, with masterpieces that turned heads and captured admiration. Yet Raphaelle, undeterred by familial expectations, let his heart guide him, turning instead to an intimate celebration of life itself—gatherings of perfectly arranged fruits, inviting cakes, and glistening wine.
As the cold of December enveloped the world outside, Raphaelle embraced the warmth of his craft. It was December 24, 1821, a date that would resonate through time: a day for sharing, for creature comforts, and perhaps for giving. It was on this day that he carefully crafted *Still Life with Fruit, Cakes, and Wine,* not merely as an arrangement of items but as a symphony of sensations—a gift bound with love and artistry. Dates, hazelnuts, and the rich colors of the season came to life under his careful hand, as if each brush stroke whispered secrets of celebration and joy.
This decision to immerse himself in still lifes was not just a choice; it was a profound reaffirmation of self. In the solitude of his studio, he became the first professional still-life painter in the United States, carving a niche that would eventually allow others to appreciate the beauty of simplicity.
In those fruits, cakes, and wine, Raphaelle Peale captured more than just objects—he captured moments of peace, solace, and the essence of sharing life's pleasures. And in doing so, he created a lasting legacy that would inspire future artists to find beauty not just in grandeur, but in the delicate simplicity of the everyday.
About the artist
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