Henry George Todd (English, 1820–1904)
Study of Strawberries, 1877
oil on canvas
Gift of Mrs. Paul Mellon in memory of her grandfather Arthur H. Lowe, 1969.5
10” x 12”
While still life paintings are recognized for showcasing the artist’s technical skill, they may also carry symbolic warnings. The lush fruit spilling from the basket initially appears tantalizing, but the brown discoloration on its leaves’ surface belies evidence of common leaf spot (a fungal disease that afflicts strawberry plants). The deliberate inclusion of creeping decay reveals Henry George Todd’s interest in the Dutch Masters and vanitas paintings, which often used rotting fruit to remind the viewer of their own mortality and the fragility of life.