ART SEMINAR GROUP HYBRID IN-PERSON AND ONLINE PROGRAM

Peto, Haberle, and the Philosophical Aspects of the Humblest of Paintings

Aneta Georgievska-Shine, professor of art history, University of Maryland

(Reception 10:30 - 11 am)

Among the numerous still-life painters influenced by William Harnett, the two most intriguing ones are John Frederick Peto (1854-1907) and John Haberle (1856-1933). Though both artists were quite prolific, they have only recently begun to receive the critical attention they deserve. Many of Peto’s trompe l’oeil compositions were often misattributed to Harnett despite his subtle stylistic differences such as his models - rendered in softer, more luminous colors - and the almost poetic quality of his compositions. Haberle’s meticulous still lifes are likewise full of details that point to his keen wit and conceptual sensibility. In this lecture, we consider how these two artists used the humble stuff of life to address deeper, philosophical questions about reality and representation.

$15 fee for guests and subscribers (no fee for members)