BARTON STONE HAYS (American, 1826-1914). STILL LIFE OF PEACHES, APPLES, ORANGES, AND PLUMS, signed lower right. Oil on canvas - 12 in. x 20 in. Estimate $2,750-3,000
Born in Ohio, Hays was entirely self-taught and painted in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis. The distinctive quality of his still lifes has recently been rediscovered by art critics and collectors. "Hays is most admired today for his gem-like still lifes of fruit, clearly-defined compositions of perfect forms and muted colors glowing in a pale atmosphere…' William Gerdts wrote in his book "Art Across America."
A teacher of William Merritt Chase, Hays' work is in the permanent collections of the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Art, among others.
Not lined, slight stretcher stress. UV: 1" area of inpainting lower right, some inpainting between right most orange and apple, 2 areas top left edge, otherwise very good.
