Peto, John Frederick (American, 1854-1907) American artists

The composition presents a still life arrangement dominated by a haphazard pile of books resting upon a wooden crate. The crate itself is positioned against a stark, dark background that emphasizes its form and the objects it supports. A sign affixed to the front of the crate announces 10 cents each, suggesting a context of commerce or a secondhand market.
The books are rendered with meticulous detail, their spines displaying a range of colors – blues, reds, oranges – that contribute to the overall visual richness. They appear worn and well-read, some lying open, revealing glimpses of pages within. The arrangement is deliberately disordered; books lean against one another, creating an impression of accumulated knowledge or discarded treasures.
Light falls from the left, illuminating the surfaces of the books and crate with a warm glow while leaving portions in shadow. This contrast enhances the three-dimensionality of the objects and directs the viewers eye across the scene. The artist’s attention to texture is evident in the depiction of the worn wood grain of the crate and the varying textures of the book covers.
Beyond the straightforward representation of books and a price tag, the painting evokes themes of accessibility, value, and perhaps even obsolescence. The low cost indicated on the sign implies that knowledge, or at least access to reading material, is within reach for many. However, the disarray and worn condition of the books might also suggest a sense of neglect or the transient nature of intellectual pursuits. The dark background contributes to a contemplative mood, inviting reflection on the significance of these commonplace objects.