In this 1874 composition of exquisite delicacy, Fantin-Latour celebrates the humble yet majestic beauty of flowers and fruits.
Against a dark background that gives them an almost theatrical presence, multicolored pansies bloom in two earthenware pots and a basket, their velvety petals subtly capturing the light. Their expressive blooms, in hues ranging from brilliant yellow to deep purple, seem to engage in dialogue with one another. On the right, several luminous yellow-green apples, enhanced with rosy touches, bring an autumnal note to the ensemble.
The treatment of light, of remarkable virtuosity, brings each detail to life: the shine of the leaves, the matte texture of the pots, the satiny flesh of the fruits. The artist succeeds here in transcending the still life genre to create a meditation on the transience of beauty.
Further Context
- Still Life with Pansies, by Henri Fantin-Latour, 1874
- 18 1/2 x 22 1/4 in. (47 x 56.5 cm)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fifth Avenue, New York, not currently on display
- https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436294
Henri Fantin-Latour (1836-1904) occupies a singular place in 19th-century French art. Contemporary with the Impressionists but following his own path, he is famous for his masterful group portraits and still lifes of unique sensitivity. His floral bouquets, painted with near-photographic precision yet imbued with subtle poetry, earned him immense success, particularly in England. A relentless perfectionist, he developed a personal technique combining the most meticulous realism with a dreamlike atmosphere that transforms each of his still lifes into a work of contemplation.
