The sunshine yellow and orange blossoms in Summer Bouquet embody the happiness Peterson felt while painting her flower portraits. While the grayer tones of the china deer and decorative vase offset the bold color of the arrangement and background, the zinnias certainly hold center stage, as they should considering they were her favorite flower. In 1946, she published an instructional book aptly called Flower Painting, in which she remarked: “I am especially fond of zinnias and they love me. I have cultivated them, lived with them, played with them, studied their likes and dislikes and have been pleased to see how quickly they respond to love and attention.” Just as with her harbor scenes, Peterson’s still lifes were critically well-received, earning praise for their daring use of color and keen sense of design.

More information about this painting...

Provenance:

Jane Peterson estate sale, O. Rundle Gilbert Auctioneers, Ipswich, Massachusetts, August 1966

To private collection, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 1966 to present

Inscription:

1). (in pencil and ink on top stretcher) NSAASS 56 / WASHINGTON MIAMI/86

2). (in pencil on top stretcher, somewhat illegible) McCarroll / Shumer(?) / Summer(?) Bouquet(?) 300