Levi Wells Prentice

American, 1851-1935

Levi Wells Prentice was an American still life and landscape painter, born in Lewis County in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, who built a reputation for his highly realistic, “hard-edged” style.

Raised on a farm, Prentice was largely self-taught and began his career painting the surrounding landscapes. In 1875 he opened a studio in Syracuse, and after moving to Brooklyn in 1883 he gradually shifted his focus from landscape to still life, producing works that often show fruit either in natural settings or spilling from baskets.

Prentice’s still lifes are noted for their striking contrasts: dark backgrounds highlight the vibrant colors of the fruit, and finely crafted details, such as the wood grain of baskets or the sheen on apple skins, underscore his skill at texture and illusionism. His work shows influence from the Hudson River School in subject matter and composition, even as his use of form and finish sets him apart.

Prentice’s paintings were appreciated in his lifetime and later gained renewed interest; his works are held in several major collections including those in Boston, New York, and in museums specializing in American or still life painting.