Rubens Peale with a Geranium by Rembrandt Peale (Interpretation and Analysis)

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Rubens Peale with a Geranium
Source: National Gallery of Art
As summer gets into full swing, I wanted to bring you a painting that I encountered when I was surfing the internet the other day. This piece, entitled Rubens Peale with a Geranium, was created by American artist Rembrandt Peale—a native of Philadelphia—in 1801. The painting depicts the artist’s brother Rubens Peale (a botanist) with a geranium plant, supposedly the first geranium ever grown in America.

I was initially drawn to this painting because I was shocked that it took someone until 1801 to grow a geranium in the US. As many of you probably know, geraniums are pretty easy to grow. Basically, you just need to give them a decent amount of light and water. However, geraniums are native to southern Africa, so I suppose it’s understandable that it took them awhile to get to the Americas.

In terms of the style, the painting demonstrates a high degree of realism. Peele presents his brother’s achievement without fanfare or exaggeration, opting instead for a solemn and dignified portrayal. As the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries progressed, secular culture became more prevalent in Western art (as opposed to religious art). Rubens Peale with a Geranium is a reflection of the increasing interest and importance of science in the nineteenth century.

I hope you enjoy this painting as you plant your garden this year.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.

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