Gordon Peers (1909-1988). "Red Roses". Oil on Canvas. Dimensions: 16” x 12”. Painting flowers for an artist became an important test of their observational powers and ability to create vigorous, life affirming works of art. Peers started his advanced art education at Rhode Island School of Design from 1929-1933, where he fell under the influence of painter and RISD instructor John Frazier. Each summer from 1930-1935, Peers continued to train and paint under Frazier’s mentorship at the John R. Frazier Summer School of Painting in Provincetown, MA. Gordon Peers showed promise early as a painter.Peers went on to study at the Beaux Arts Academy and the Arts Students League in New York in 1933-1934, working for a time with American realist Thomas Hart Benton. Early works in the 30's and 40's show Peers as a strong realist painter who was interested in tightly rendered images, exacting composition and homage to nature. An independent and disciplined painter, Gordon Peers acquired technical and theoretical art sophistication early in his career.Still life became a favorite subject matter for 19th century American painters and continues to be popular today among contemporary artists. During the 19th century compositions of flowers and fruits were frequent entries in the local Providence Art Club exhibitions and overseas at the Paris Salon. By the 20th century artists such as Gordon Peers looked to such modernist masters as Cezanne and later avant-garde artists on the American art scene to re-interpret their still life. By using a palette knife technique in "Red Roses", Peers takes a fresh perspective on a popular subject matter.

Good

16 x 12 in

4 lb