Carpenter, Margaret (1897-1980) Still Life on a Table

Art

The New Deal Museum

Name/Title

Carpenter, Margaret (1897-1980) "Still Life on a Table"

Entry/Object ID

2025.900.FA18130

Description

In this still life, there are various objects placed on a brown table. Towards the left end of the table, we see a small container of ink standing next to a dip pen and a journal on the opposite end of the table. Towards the center, there is a cream-colored piece of cloth underlying an empty teacup and circular vase containing white calla lilies. Although pale as the wall beside it, the calla lilies are contrasted by the dark red curtains behind them. The cream walls are adorned by a framed portrait of a young lady smiling and a separate painting that has two nude figures.

Artwork Details

Medium

Oil

Collection

Mt. Morris TB Hospital FAP Collection

Made/Created

Artist

Carpenter, Margaret

Date made

Oct 27, 1937

Dimensions

Height

29-1/2 in

Width

23-1/2 in

Condition

Overall Condition

Poor

Date Examined

Jul 20, 2025

Notes

6+ cracks on white peace lily petals, 1+ chips throughout entirely on white peace lily petals upper corners, 5+ scratches upper right and left center/lower right corner, 6+ holes upper right and left corners/lower left corner, fading throughout entirely on book, table, and wall

Recommendations

requires repairs for holes, chipped paint, canvas slacking, cleaning, frame chipped

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Created under the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project (1930s–1940s), this collection of easel paintings was originally installed at the Mount Morris Tuberculosis Sanitorium in Livingston County, New York. Following the sanitorium’s closure in 1970, the artworks were abandoned and remained in storage until their rediscovery decades later. Now preserved and exhibited by the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts (GVCA), the collection is housed at the New Deal Museum in Mount Morris. Current efforts include digitization, high-resolution photography, and the creation of an online archive to ensure long-term public access and research availability.

General Notes

Note Type

Cataloging Note

Note

See the entry titled 'New Deal Collection' for supporting documents, and general historic and research information.