1910s Still Life of Fruit by Mabel Lemos, Oil on Canvas

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This beautiful photorealistic still-life painting features a sumptuous display: a large, ripe watermelon paired with an overflowing Native American cornucopia. … Read more This beautiful photorealistic still-life painting features a sumptuous display: a large, ripe watermelon paired with an overflowing Native American cornucopia. The composition—rich in texture, color, and symbolic abundance—draws clear inspiration from the Dutch Golden Age masters, whose influence is evident in the dramatic lighting, meticulous detail, and sense of quiet opulence. The incredible Art Nouveau style wooden frame is a real standout as well.

The work is by Santa Cruz–based artist Mabel Lemos (1870–1947), who was celebrated for her bold, eye-catching still-life arrangements and her remarkable ability to blend European academic tradition with distinctly American themes. Lemos trained in California at the turn of the century, absorbing both classical techniques and the emerging naturalist trends of the West Coast art scene. Her still lifes frequently incorporated locally grown produce and objects tied to regional culture, making her work especially resonant for collectors of early California art.

Dating to 1910, this painting reflects Lemos’s mature style—highly refined, vividly colored, and attentive to the symbolic richness of everyday objects. It stands as a striking example of her ability to elevate simple subjects into timeless works of beauty.

Art measures 36" x 22", 42.5" x 29" See less