Career John F. Peto

letter rack peto

peto s paintings, considered less technically skilled harnett s, more abstract, use more unusual color, , have stronger emotional resonance. peto s mature works have opaque , powdery texture compared chardin.

the subject matter of peto s paintings consisted of ordinary of things: pistols, horseshoes, bits of paper, keys, books, , like. painted old time letter racks , kind of board used ribbons tacked square held notes, letters, pencils, , photographs. many of peto s paintings reinterpret themes harnett had painted earlier, peto s compositions less formal , objects typically rustier, more worn, less expensive looking.

other artists practiced trompe l oeil in late nineteenth century include john haberle , jefferson david chalfant. otis kaye followed several decades later.

peto studio museum

a pioneering study of peto , harnett alfred frankenstein s after hunt, william harnett , other american still life painters 1870-1900. frankenstein s book fantastic tale of solving mystery of why these artists forgotten of twentieth century.