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Still Life with Books, Peach and Butterfly
Artist
Eliza B. Duffey
(1838 - 1898)
Date1865
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionscanvas (image): 14 x 20 in. (35.6 x 50.8 cm)
ClassificationsART, 2-DIMENSIONAL
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2023.11
DescriptionA plain brown background allows the yellows, pinks, purples, and greens to seemingly glow as they rest atop the warm wood of a table with an S-curve edge. The center of the composition is anchored by two yellow objects: a tall, yellow vase with a bulbous base, and the delicate yellow, blue, and black butterfly that gently hovers over a stack of books on the viewer’s right. The vase, lightly decorated with vines around the neck and a geometric design along the base, overflows with dark green and red leaves that pour from the top and drape behind, while pink and purple wildflower bloom emerge from the center. Behind the vase on the left, ripe, purple grapes, still on the vine, are ready for eating, as are the two peaches, one already cut open, at the front of the table. Under the butterfly, a messy stack of books is partially covered by a white lace handkerchief. The emerald green book on the table has gold lettering on the spine that spells out the word “Chris…”, perhaps suggesting it is a religious tome. The brown book in the middle of the pile also features gold lettering with the word “The,” and the top book, in bright purple binding, is precariously placed on the top at an angle, almost ready to slide off the table. While the lace handkerchief almost totally covers the brown book, it curiously acts as a bookmark of sorts for the purple book, dividing the gilded-edged pages almost in half.Collections
- 19th Century American Art
On View
Corning Incorporated Visions of America Gallery