The artwork “Peaches and Strawflowers” was created by Janet Fish in 1990. It is a fine example of Contemporary Realism, a movement that emerged in the late 20th century, featuring artists who focused on painting in a realistic manner while exploring modern themes and concepts. The genre of this particular piece is still life, a category of art in which the subject matter is predominantly inanimate objects.
“Peaches and Strawflowers” is distinguished by its vibrant representation of the titular subjects. The composition showcases a collection of peaches arranged within a reflective glass bowl, which anchors the scene. The fruits exhibit tones of deep oranges and reds, with highlights suggesting the soft, velvety texture of ripe peach skin. The peaches themselves convey a tangible sense of volume and weight, filling the receptacle with their fleshy forms.
Contrasting with the rich hues of the peaches, the background and surrounding elements consist of strawflowers, depicted in varied shades of yellow and orange. These flowers add a textural depth and complexity to the work, creating a dynamic interplay with the smooth surfaces of the peaches and the glass bowl. The organic shapes of the strawflowers foster a sense of natural abundance, emphasizing the lushness characteristic of a bountiful still life.
Light plays a crucial role in articulating the textures and forms within the artwork, bridging the reflective qualities of the glass with the mattes of the fruit and the strawflowers. The artist’s use of light not only highlights the shapes and surfaces but also contributes to the sense of realism that defines the work.
Overall, Janet Fish’s “Peaches and Strawflowers” is a testament to the skillful application of color, form, and light within the realm of Contemporary Realism, capturing a moment of simple, yet profound beauty within the everyday.
