Dahlias 1873

This oil painting, Dahlias, was created by Henri Fantin-Latour. Fantin-Latour uses the impasto technique, applying thick layers of paint to build texture and capture light. The dahlia’s petals are rendered with a tangible quality, contrasting with the dark background. Oil paint has long been favored for its ability to achieve realism, but here the medium also asserts itself, drawing attention to the labor and skill involved in its creation. Although flower painting might seem divorced from the concerns of labor and politics, it was in fact closely tied to social issues. Fantin-Latour depended on a network of suppliers who cultivated dahlias and other blooms for the commercial art market. The final painting represents both his labor and that of others, invisibly present in the final result. By emphasizing the materials, the making, and its historical context, we gain a deeper understanding of "Dahlias," blurring the lines between fine art and craft.