Bouquet of Flowers Pansies 1883

Henri Fantin-Latour painted this still life, Bouquet of Flowers Pansies, with oils on canvas. Fantin-Latour uses traditional art materials to engage with the changing social landscape of his time. His skilled handling of oil paint allows him to capture the delicate textures and colors of the flowers, while also hinting at the broader context of floral arrangement as a social practice. Consider the labor involved in cultivating these blooms, and in turn arranging them for display. These kinds of bouquets were fashionable amongst the 19th-century bourgeoisie, who consumed them as symbols of wealth and taste. Fantin-Latour carefully composes the painting, creating a tension between the natural beauty of the flowers and their commodification. Looking closely, you can sense the tension between the wildness of nature and the conventions of polite society. This artwork challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and the everyday rituals of life.