Basket of Cherries

John F. Francis' still lifes often fall into one of three compositional categories: a portrayal of a table top with varieties of porcelain and glassware; luncheon paintings with bottles of wines and liqueurs; and fruit in a basket. Dr. William H. Gerdts and Russell Burke write, "The baskets often have a pink or blue ribbon tied to the arched handle, but they are not elegant; rather it is the common market-basket that appears--in its own way indicative of the democratization of art that occurred after 1850. Sometimes the basket is tipped and the fruit spills out. In the spilling, the artist was presented with an opportunity to examine the fruit from every angle." (American Still Life Painting, New York, p. 61) Francis' masterful use of light, color and careful detail gives Basket of Cherries a poignancy and vitality not often present in nineteenth century still lifes.

A letter from Dr. William Gerdts dated January 9, 1996 confirming the authenticity of this lot will accompany the painting.