Peanuts
De Scott Evans, Peanuts, ca. 1890, oil on canvas, Bequest of Mrs. Lester R. Brooks, public domain, 44.17.4
This work is not currently on view.
- Title
Peanuts
- Artist
- Date
ca. 1890
- Medium
oil on canvas
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
11 7/8 in x 10 in
- Inscriptions & Markings
signature: S.S. David, brushed, lower right
- Collection Area
American Art
- Category
Paintings
- Object Type
painting
- Culture
American
- Credit Line
Bequest of Mrs. Lester R. Brooks
- Accession Number
44.17.4
- Copyright
public domain
- Terms
Illusionistic, or trompe l'oeil, literally translated as "deceives the eye"—still lifes became popular among American artists and audiences during the last half of the 19th century. The technique, dating from antiquity, was revived during the late-18th and early-19th centuries both in Europe and America.
Evans (born David Scott Evans) was best known in his time for portraits and genre paintings. Combining meticulous brushwork, humor, and the preferred vertical orientation, Peanuts is a prime example of the genre presenting the illusion of reality. A piece of note paper reading "Free Sample, Take One," invites the viewer to sample the nuts held in place by a broken sheet of glass, offering the possibility of an unexpected and droll discovery of the artist's illusionistic skill. Evans painted several versions of this composition using different types of nuts and arrangements.
- Exhibitions
1998 The Other Nineteenth Century Portland Art Museum