Large Bouquet of Chrysanthemums 1882

Henri Fantin-Latour painted this "Large Bouquet of Chrysanthemums" during a time when the rigid hierarchy of genres in painting was being questioned. Fantin-Latour chose still life, elevating it from its traditionally lower status. His meticulous depiction of flowers reflects not only his skill, but also the cultural values of the time where floriography, a language of flowers, was popular. Each bloom and color could convey specific emotions. In this context, a bouquet of chrysanthemums—often associated with grief or respect—creates a complex emotional landscape. Fantin-Latour himself felt conflicted about his work, once stating that flower painting was "a genre without a future." Yet, he devoted much of his career to it. The artist’s work invites us to consider the intersection of personal expression and societal expectations. While seemingly conventional, Fantin-Latour's paintings provide a space for intimate emotional expression within the confines of 19th-century artistic norms.