A bountiful late summer harvest is laid out on a table in this
small painting. The white, red, and black grapes are perfectly
ripe, catching glimmers of light on their skin. Fresh, firm,
and seemingly juicy, they cascade toward the edge of the
table, tempting the viewer to reach out and taste one. Their
curly vines playfully dance across the picture. On the right
are two peaches—one with the stem and three leaves still
attached, as if it has just been picked. The other is only a half,
suggesting that someone has already enjoyed the rest.
Mary Jane Peale, granddaughter of the famous painter
Charles Willson Peale, began studying art as a young woman.
Although women faced significant barriers to pursuing
an artistic career, Mary Jane benefited from her family
connections in the art world. She trained with several well known
artists and took classes at the Pennsylvania Academy
of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. When she painted Grapes
and Peaches she was living with her parents on a farm
outside of Philadelphia. Her father, Rubens, devoted most
of his life to museum work but was also a gifted gardener.
At age 71, he took up painting. Mary Jane gave him
instruction and helped him finish his works. The two artists
inspired each other.
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