Still Life; Bosschaert, Meléndez, and Peale

Raphaelle Peale, A Dessert (Still Life with Lemons and Oranges) (detail), 1814, oil on panel, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift (Partial and Promised) of Jo Ann and Julian Ganz Jr. in memory of Franklin D. Murphy 1999.44.1

Americans of the new republic were a practical people for whom art was not a priority. By making fruit, nuts, and glass objects almost palpable, Raphaelle grounded his work in the real world. Clear and intelligible to all, his paintings embody the democratic principles so important to the young nation.

While his style was democratic, his subject addressed his patrons, the upper middle class. Dessert—the subject of this image—was a dining course enjoyed by few.