Original 19th C. Levi Wells Prentice Still Life Gooseberries Oil American c 1899

Description: This listing is for “Gooseberries” circa 1899 by Levi Wells Prentice (American, 1851-1935) pictured above. About this work: An excellent fruit still life be renowned American painter Levi Wells Prentice (1851-1935). This work epitomizes Prentice’s dramatic, illusionistic still lifes from the latter part of the 19th century. It features an up-close view of a variety of gooseberry bushes above the soil. Prentice’s use of lighting and dark outlines have created bold representations of the leaves and berries, which appear to pop off the canvas. The work is oil on canvas and is signed in the lower right. It is housed in an appropriate gilded frame. Size: 6 inches tall by 14 inches wide (painting) 12.25 inches tall by 20.25 inches wide (frame) Provenance: Collection of Donna Schlesak, Burlington, WI; Lincoln Glenn, Larchmont, NY; Acquired from the above About the artist: Levi Wells Prentice was an American still life and landscape painter. Prentice was associated with the Hudson River School. Prentice grew up on a farm in Lewis County, New York. By 1872, Prentice had traveled through the Adirondack Mountains, painting the views as well as the surrounding region. He opened his first studio as a landscape painter in Syracuse, New York in 1875. In his painting, Prentice placed an emphasis on dark outlining with a concern for textual precision, creating dramatic contrasts. The shift between dark background areas and the vibrant hues of the fruit are done to give the compositions an exciting, visual energy. The fruit is presented with clarity and precision. An emphasis appears to be placed on the idea of man versus nature. The wooden baskets with hand-wrought nails represent a structured, man-made object, while the overly ripe fruit represents the fleeting qualities of nature. These paintings also demonstrate Prentice's remarkable skills at rendering color, form, and texture. Art historian William H. Gerdts observed that there are several works by Prentice in which he achieves a quality of illusionism which is unsurpassed. In 1993, the skillful "illusionism" of Levi Wells Prentice was celebrated in a retrospective exhibition at the Adirondack Museum in New York. His works continue to be appreciated by modern collectors. Condition: Very good overall condition. Stable surface craquelure commensurate with age. Minor scattered spots of inpainting. Frame with typical wear. It is ready to be displayed and enjoyed! This work will be carefully packed and shipped with insurance and signature confirmation. Free local pick up is also available. International buyers - please note I cannot lower the declared value of the package for customs. I frequently receive messages from people after I sell an item, asking if it is definitely gone. If something catches your eye, don't hesitate to inquire before it is sold! Feel free to ask any questions.

Price: 5750 USD

Location: Morrisville, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2024-08-14T20:49:31.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD