Description

Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater by P. Buckley Moss

Content & Subject

Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater by P. Buckley Moss is a signed and numbered limited edition lithograph that brings one of childhood’s most beloved nursery rhymes to life through her distinctive folk-art style. Belonging to the Moss Fall Collection, the Moss Pumpkin Collection, and the Nursery Rhyme Collection, this whimsical artwork blends the innocence of storytelling with the seasonal charm of autumn.

The scene portrays the nursery rhyme character Peter, dressed in Moss’s classic Amish-inspired attire, carrying a basket filled with apples. At the center of the composition sits a giant pumpkin—transformed into a little house—where Peter’s wife peers out from the window, framed by curling vines and whimsical details. The playful imagery captures the magical quality of folk tales, where everyday life blends with imagination.

Style & Technique

Moss’s stylized figures are instantly recognizable—elongated, graceful, and timeless. The large pumpkin house, with its rounded form and twisting vines, provides a warm and playful centerpiece. Soft washes of blue, orange, and green create a gentle contrast, while the rhythmic linework of the vines gives the piece energy and motion.

The lithographic process ensures crisp lines and vibrant color reproduction, perfectly preserving the humor, warmth, and whimsy of Moss’s original design. The circular framing of the composition enhances the feeling of peeking into a magical world, much like a storybook illustration.

Mood & Inspiration

The mood of Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater is lighthearted, nostalgic, and whimsical. Moss captures the charm of a nursery rhyme that has been passed down through generations, transforming it into a piece of fine art that resonates with both children and adults.

Her inspiration reflects her love for storytelling and tradition. Just as nursery rhymes teach rhythm and imagination, this artwork celebrates the beauty of simple tales and their power to connect families across time. By weaving the imagery of pumpkins and apples into the piece, Moss ties the rhyme to the richness of fall harvests, grounding fantasy in the warmth of the season.

Placement & Gift Ideas

This artwork is wonderfully versatile for display. It makes a delightful addition to a nursery or child’s bedroom, where its storytelling quality can inspire imagination. It is also perfect for a family room, playroom, or kitchen, bringing charm and warmth into spaces where stories and traditions are shared.

As a gift, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater is ideal for new parents, grandparents, teachers, and nursery rhyme lovers. It also makes a thoughtful seasonal gift for autumn birthdays, baby showers, or collectors of Moss’s whimsical and pumpkin-themed works.

Includes a Certificate of Authenticity. (see FAQs)

2004

Image Size: 6-3/8 x 8-1/8 inches. Paper Size: 10 x 10 inches.