Chrysanthemums 1887

Rose O’Neill made this oil-on-canvas painting, entitled Chrysanthemums, in the United States. The image speaks to a wider cultural interest in floral still life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, the loose brushwork aligns O’Neill’s work with the Tonalist movement, in which artists used soft, muted tones to evoke mood and atmosphere. This aesthetic choice may be a comment on the rapid industrialization of the United States during that period, with artists seeking to recapture a sense of tranquility and connection to nature. To better understand O’Neill’s artistic motivations, one might look to her personal letters and diaries, as well as exhibition reviews and sales records from the time. Further study into the institutional history of art academies and salons in the United States might help us understand how O’Neill positioned herself in relation to the established art world.