Flowers Large Bouquet with Three Peonies 1879

Henri Fantin-Latour created this still life, Flowers Large Bouquet with Three Peonies, using oil on canvas. The visible brushstrokes and texture of the paint are just as important as the forms they depict. Fantin-Latour builds up the image through layers of paint, creating depth and volume. Notice how he captures the light reflecting off the petals, giving them a soft, almost velvety texture. The background, painted in deep, rich colors, adds to the overall sense of depth and envelops the flowers. The artist employed traditional techniques, but his focus on the materiality of paint itself was something new. Think about where the artist sourced his materials, and consider the labor involved in producing the canvas, grinding the pigments, and manufacturing the brushes. Fantin-Latour was a product of his time, but he also pushed the boundaries of what painting could be. Ultimately, by considering the materials, processes, and social context, we can gain a deeper understanding of this deceptively simple still life.