James Peale painted Still Life with Peaches around 1824 to 1831. A note on the stretcher indicates that the painting was a New Year’s present to Phoebe Rush, the wife of Dr. James Rush. Dr. Rush was the Peale family physician, as well as a friend, and the painting might have been payment for medical services in addition to being a gift. This painting was added to our collection in 1869.

We can understand how such a lush depiction of peaches, grapes, and other fruit would be a welcome sight on a cold January day in Philadelphia, so in the spirit of Peale’s gift to Phoebe, we would like to wish you all a Happy New Year from the Library Company! 

Peale, James, 1749-1831. Still Life with Peaches. Ca. 1824-1831. Oil on canvas

librarycompany:

Meet Phoebe Anne Ridgway Rush, our resident ghost. Phoebe first haunted the stacks of our Ridgway building - named for her family, and built with her fortune, which was bequeathed by her husband, James Rush, after her death. Both James and Phoebe’s remains rested in the foundation of the Ridgway Building, and when the LCP moved to its current home, their remains moved with us. Some say Phoebe rests peacefully now, but if the stacks are rearranged with no explanation, we know who is responsible. #librariesarethespiceoflifeordeath #LCPinsider

A throwback to an early Library Company social media hunt of our haunted halls (October 2015).