Peter Hamlett (American 1919-1972) signed Oil on Board, dated 1966 verso; the lush impressionist style still life painting with thick broad brushstrokes depicting a tablescape setting with a copper pot, various vegetables and a bottle of wine; signed lower left and verso and titled 'Staff of Life' Laguna Beach 1966; Born in 1919 in Mokanshan, China during a time of political unrest, Peter Hamlett, a seascape painter, left China at age 18 when he graduated from Shanghai American School. He was enrolled in Wake Forest University in North Carolina and had plans to follow in his father's footsteps as a minister.  He fell in love with the ocean on that long voyage and loving the ocean, he then spent much time searching for exciting shores to paint.  His quest took him to Hilo, Hawaii where he was a photographer; to Catalina Island where he lived on a sailboat; to Rockport, Massachusetts; Alaska; Depoe Bay, Oregon; and later to Laguna Beach, California where he had a studio for many years; good vintage condition with nice clean surface and bright colors; original wooden frame; linen liner replaced