Artwork
Stlll Life with Dahlias, Wine Glass and Fruit
Stlll Life with Dahlias, Wine Glass and Fruit is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist George Leslie Hunter. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1913, *Still Life with Dahlias, Wine Glass and Fruit* is an oil painting by Scottish artist George Leslie Hunter. The work exemplifies his involvement with the Scottish Colourists and aligns with post‑impressionist tendencies. It is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection and reflects the artist’s mature phase after years of work in both America and Europe.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a modest banquet: white dahlias in a clear vase, a solitary wine glass, and a selection of fruit—melon, grapes and a plum—arranged on a table. A light‑green cloth covers the surface, while an orange‑red drape falls across the left side, establishing a quiet domestic scene that invites contemplation of everyday abundance.
Technique & Style
Hunter employs a restrained palette, contrasting the bright whites of the flowers and the deep shadows of the background. Brushwork is loose yet controlled, giving volume to the objects through subtle gradations of light and shade. The interplay of color blocks and the flattened perspective echo post‑impressionist concerns with surface and sensation over strict realism.
History & Provenance
After completing the painting, Hunter retained it during his peripatetic career, which included significant periods in the United States before his return to Europe. The work entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings in the mid‑20th century, where it remains on view as a representative example of his still‑life oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Leslie Hunter (7 August 1877 – 7 December 1931) was a Scottish painter, regarded as one of the four artists of the Scottish Colourists group of painters.
