Bouquet of Flowers 

Adolphe Monticelli, working in France in the latter half of the 19th century, created this oil painting of a flower bouquet in a vase. Monticelli emerged from a provincial art scene during a period of significant political and social change. His approach to painting reflected the shift away from academic conventions toward looser, more expressive styles that would eventually be known as Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. In this painting, we see his characteristic use of impasto, where thick layers of paint create a textured surface. His loose handling of the subject suggests a focus on color and texture for their own sake, a rejection of the strict academic standards of the time. To fully understand Monticelli, one must research the institutional art world of 19th-century France, the rise of independent exhibitions, and the changing market for art. Only then can we appreciate the significance of his expressive style.