Vase of Flowers on a Console 1849

Curator: Immediately, I see a controlled explosion. There is so much going on here, so many shapes, tones, textures; it's chaotic, yet contained by the very rigid symmetrical arrangement. Editor: We are currently viewing "Vase of Flowers on a Console," painted by Eugène Delacroix in 1849. You can find it on display at the Musée Ingres in Montauban, France. It's an oil painting that epitomizes the Romantic style, which makes your observation about the explosion of elements feel quite apt, in my opinion. Curator: I'm drawn to the flowers, of course. But those reds, that scarlet... it’s nearly a blood-red, isn't it? I see passion, defiance even. Not at all your demure, typical flower arrangement. I detect strong symbols of vitality here. Editor: Delacroix’s vibrant color palette reflects his interest in emotion. Yet floral arrangements like this one also served as a marker of cultural refinement and social standing. The fact that these flowers are displayed in what appears to be an intimate interior also gives it an autobiographical air, as this dates from late in Delacroix’s career when he enjoyed some level of domestic stability and commercial success. Curator: It feels deliberately performative to me. The ornate console, the heavy drape, all speak to creating a sense of luxurious display. Editor: Indeed, Romanticism engaged with social change but often presented its politics within such displays of individual and artistic sensitivity, which had real political ramifications. Curator: Do you feel a slight anxiety though? The painting seems too theatrical; like there is almost a kind of impending doom lurking under that surface. Editor: I find myself drawn back to the artist’s masterful play with color and brushwork, using those romantic ideas to solidify both artistic and commercial success. But I see how its vibrancy could represent a certain… uneasiness as well. Curator: Well, perhaps in its inherent ambiguity, there is yet another layer of Delacroix to explore.