Today, John F. Peto is celebrated as a master trompe l’oeil (“fool the eye”) painter. His work is in museums around the world, from Madrid’s Golden Art Triangle to The Museum of Modern Art and The Met. But during his life he was unknown, his work forgotten, and home left to decay. The restoration of his Island Heights, NJ home and studio as the John F. Peto Studio Museum has helped revive his legacy.
Produced by Ilene Dube for State of the Arts. Co-produced & edited by Eric Schultz. Director of photography, Austin Bening. Camera by Joe Conlon and Jack Stawowczyk.
Special thanks to Amanda Alsheimer, Barbara Hanna, Colleen Kehler, Constance Ollendorf, Larrisa Susich, Margaret Huang, Jeff Evans, Morgan, Gengo, and Samantha Martin.