Levi Wells Prentice (1851-1935) Lived/Active: New York and Pennsylvania

Overturned Basket of Apples
Signed (c.l. on basket) and verso: L.W. Prentice
Oil on canvas
12” x 18”, 17” x 22 ¾” (frame)
No signs of restoration under ultra-violet light (see image). In a period gilt frame.
Provenance: Miller Frame Galleries, New York, New York; Private Collection, St. Paul, Minnesota; Private Collection, Wisconsin; Freemans, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (December 2015); Private Collection.
Although self-taught, Levi Wells Prentice’s paintings demonstrate a remarkable skill at rendering color, form and texture. Best known for his realistic still-life compositions of fruit arranged within a landscape, or abundantly spilling from bushel baskets as seen here. Prentice’s fruit still-lifes are compositions intended to create dramatic contrasts. The shift between dark background areas and the vibrant hues of the fruit are done to give the compositions an exciting, visual energy.

Price: $16,500