Peaches & Quilt. Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 inches by Sarah Atlee
Peaches are revered in many cultures as a symbol of longevity, vitality, and wealth. Small wonder - who can resist the sweet smell and juicy flesh of a ripe peach? Each fruit is a treasure.
Peaches. Janet Fish, 1971. Click image to view source.
In this painting by Janet Fish, the tempting peaches are sealed in plastic wrap, increasing our anticipation.
Riverbank of Peach Blossoms. Shi Tao, Chinese, 17th century. Click image to view source.
Peach trees blossom before their leaves appear each spring, contributing to their association with health and vitality. Here landscape painter and poet Shi Tao treats us to a whole riverbank alive with peach blossoms.
Fanciullo con canestro di frutta. Caravaggio, Italian, 16th century. Click image to view source.
In European painting, the peach represents the heart, while a leaf attached to the fruit suggests the tongue. Put them together and you have a symbol for speaking from the heart. The young man in this work by Caravaggio looks as though he's about to do just that.
By now, I know you're thinking about it. Who can forget the immortal tribute to peaches by The Presidents of the United States of America? Here's a cover of their famous song "Peaches" played on actual peaches.