Morston Constantine Ream

Still Life with Grapes

Arthur Meltzer (American, 1893-1989) Green Pepper Oil on canvas, 12 x 22 inches; Framed: 19 x 29 inches Signed at lower left: “Arthur Meltzer” Frame is original and also by Arthur Meltzer Arthur Meltzer was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and studied at the Minneapolis School of Art before enrolling in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Meltzer achieved fame for his Pennsylvania landscapes of Bucks and Berks Counties. He taught for many years at the Moore College of Art and Design, where he met his wife, the impressionist painter Paulette Van Roekens. He was a member of many art organizations, including the Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Graphic Sketch Club, the Philadelphia Art...

Gustave David (British, 1824-1891) Tasting the Soup Oil on paper, mounted; 9 1/2 x 7 inches Signed at lower left: "G. David" Inscribed on verso: "GUSTAVE DAVID 1824-1891"

"Still Life with Grapes and Plums" is a 10" x 12", oil on board still life by British painter Edward Ladell. The painting is framed and signed "EL 1866" in the lower left. Provenance...

Dramatic and luxurious, Still Life with Grapes is a striking study of contrast, texture, and abundance. The deep blue-black grapes spill onto a delicate porcelain plate, their clustered forms exuding a natural opulence. The twisting vine, reaching upward like a sculptural relic, adds an element of wild elegance, while the surrounding leaves, tinged with autumnal hues, remind us of the inevitable change of seasons. Titorenkov’s exquisite use of light and shadow heightens the depth of this composition—the grapes shimmer under soft illumination, each one a study in transparency and reflection. The intricate blue patterns of the plate lend an air of timeless refinement, grounding the composition in a sense of tradition. Against the stark darkness of the background, the fruit and its organic details stand out with mesmerizing clarity. This painting is more than a depiction of fruit; it is a testament to nature’s richness, to the beauty of growth and decay, and to the fleeting, yet eternal, nature of the harvest. Still Life with Grapes speaks of abundance, nostalgia, and the simple pleasures of the earth’s bounty. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. Artist bio: Born in 1963 in Kotel, Bulgaria, Alexander Titorenkov...