Two Centuries of American Still-Life Painting

This richly illustrated catalog traces the evolution of American still life from the late eighteenth century through the early twentieth century, revealing how a seemingly quiet genre became a powerful mirror of American culture.

Built around works from the distinguished Frank and Michelle Hevrdejs Collection, the catalog presents more than sixty-five paintings, works on paper, and decorative objects, many previously unseen by the public. Together, they chart the transformation of still life from refined Federal-era compositions to bold modernist reinterpretations.

The book features major figures including Raphaelle Peale, Thomas Hart Benton, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Andrew Wyeth, demonstrating how artists across generations used everyday objects – fruit, flowers, household items – not merely as subjects, but as vehicles for symbolism, experimentation, and reflections on national identity.

Rather than treating still life as a secondary genre, this study positions it at the center of American artistic development. Through scholarly essays and accessible catalog entries, the volume shows how artists used material objects to explore themes of abundance, fragility, commerce, spirituality, and modernity.

With high-quality color illustrations and rigorous yet readable commentary, this exhibition catalog serves both as a collector’s reference and as a thoughtful introduction to American still-life painting across two centuries. It is an essential resource for students of American art, museum libraries, and collectors interested in the evolution of realism, modernism, and the visual language of objects.