Artwork
Fruits and Flowers
Fruits and Flowers is an unspecified painting by the American Impressionist artist Henry Lee McFee. It dates from 1927 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1927, *Fruits and Flowers* is a still‑life painting by American artist Henry Lee McFee. The composition depicts a modest tabletop arrangement of fruit, a pitcher, and a vase of blossoms against a plain wall. Soft, warm hues dominate, while the overall tone conveys a quiet, domestic atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents everyday objects—a bowl of pears, oranges and an apple, a small pitcher, and a bright floral bouquet—arranged to highlight their simple beauty. The slightly weathered fruit juxtaposed with fresh‑looking flowers suggests a contemplation of time’s passage within ordinary domestic settings.
Technique & Style
McFee employs loose, fluid brushwork that softens edges and blends colors, characteristic of his engagement with American Impressionism. The palette favors gentle reds and greens, while the handling of light on the surfaces reflects an interest in capturing fleeting visual effects, bridging Impressionist sensibility with emerging Cubist concerns about form.
History & Provenance
Henry Lee McFee, a central figure in the Woodstock artists’ colony, produced the painting during a period when he was exploring both Impressionist and Cubist ideas. Although specific ownership records are limited, the piece has been associated with collections that emphasize early 20th‑century American modernism.
Context
The 1920s saw American artists negotiating European avant‑garde influences while seeking a distinct national voice. McFee’s still life embodies this dialogue, merging the Impressionist focus on light and color with a nascent Cubist abstraction of everyday subjects, reflecting broader trends in American modern art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Lee McFee (April 14, 1886 – March 19, 1953) was a pioneer American cubist painter and a prominent member of the Woodstock artists colony.
