Still Life of trailing arbutus in a glass

Daten. d.

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsFramed: 9 1/4 × 11 1/4 inches (23.5 × 28.6 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Fred D. Bentley, Sr., & Mr. and Mrs. J. Alan Sellars.

Object number1979.20.2

On View

On view

CopyrightThe images and text contained on this page are owned by Telfair Museums or used by the Museum with permission from the owners. Unauthorized reproduction, transmission or display of these materials is prohibited with the exception of items deemed “fair use” as defined by U.S. and international copyright laws.Label TextJonas LaValley’s depiction of trailing arbutus, also known as mayflower, is not strictly a sample. However, the placement of a single variety of a plant into a glass mimics the methods that some botanists use to collect and study plant specimens. Additionally, the depiction of the subject against a dark, neutral background echoes those seen in botanical studies. LaValley is known for his precise still life paintings, and these close studies likely helped him build his skills at rendering the tiny features of his subjects for larger compositions. Because trailing arbutus is a plant native to the eastern U.S. woodlands, the artist may have gathered the blossoms around his Massachusetts home. Text written for 'Lingua Flora,' on view June 21–September 8, 2024.

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