Strawberries and Cream 1816

Raphaelle Peale made this painting of strawberries and cream with oil on canvas. The strawberries, cream, glass, and wildflowers that he has depicted aren’t esoteric high-tech materials, but the way he has rendered them speaks to broader cultural and social forces. Consider the skill involved in achieving such photorealistic effects. The texture of the strawberries, the translucency of the glass pitcher, the creamy, opaque surface of the liquid within – all required tremendous expertise. Peale would have painstakingly built up layers of pigment, manipulating light and shadow to create an illusion of three-dimensionality. This wasn't just about accurately representing the objects, but about elevating them, making everyday items worthy of aesthetic contemplation. The image is also evocative of consumption and pleasure. At the time, the simple act of painting these commonplace materials was a declaration of their inherent beauty and value. By paying close attention to materials and processes, we understand how the artist imbued these simple objects with cultural significance, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and everyday life.