Still Life with Cake, Lemon, Strawberries, and Glass 1890

John Frederick Peto's "Still Life with Cake, Lemon, Strawberries, and Glass" from 1890 is a classic example of American trompe l'oeil painting. The artist's meticulous detail creates an illusion of reality, making the viewer question whether the depicted objects are actual, three-dimensional objects. The composition is simple yet effective, featuring a bowl of strawberries, a slice of cake, a lemon, and a glass of water with a lemon slice, all arranged on a white tablecloth. The muted color palette and realistic textures emphasize the illusionistic nature of the painting, inviting the viewer to contemplate the relationship between art and reality.