Plums (1870)

John William Hill is the artist behind "Plums", dated 1870. Still Life, a short history: Dutch vanitas paintings used objects such as skulls, candles, and wilting flowers to remind viewers that time passes. Later artists, including Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso, used humble still-life subjects to test ideas about space and form. Context for 1870: Japanese prints reached Europe in large numbers and influenced many artists, while photography changed what painting needed to do. The later nineteenth century is the era of Impressionism, whose first group exhibition was held in Paris in 1874, followed by Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, and the Arts and Crafts movement. The catalogue places it in Still Life. The format is landscape.

Buying "Plums" means getting a digital file, not a physical print: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI, delivered by email once payment is confirmed. A 300 DPI file is intended for printing at home or at a local print shop, where you can choose a matte, satin, or fine-art paper to suit the room. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. A simple frame with a mat often helps an image settle comfortably into a room. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

American, 1812–1879

If you like the visual language of John William Hill, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.