Artwork
_Roses de Nice_ on a Table
_Roses de Nice_ on a Table is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
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About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition’s simplicity also conveys a quiet contemplation of domestic elegance, inviting viewers to consider the transitory nature of floral splendor.
The painting presents a bouquet of pink roses arranged on a modest tabletop, set against a muted background that emphasizes the delicate texture of the blossoms. As a still‑life by Henri Fantin‑Latour, the work draws on the traditional French symbolism of roses as emblems of love and fleeting beauty, while the careful rendering of light and shadow reflects the artist’s interest in naturalistic detail. The composition’s simplicity also conveys a quiet contemplation of domestic elegance, inviting viewers to consider the transitory nature of floral splendor.
The piece is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection, acquired through the bequest of Paul Mellon.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1882, this still life by Henri Fantin-Latour is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 26.4 cm in height and 41.9 cm in width. As a representative example of the artist's floral genre, the composition features roses arranged upon a table surface, rendered with the characteristic textural handling of oil pigment on a woven support.
History & Provenance
Henri Fantin-Latour executed the oil painting _Roses de Nice_ on a Table in 1882. The work entered the collection of Paul Mellon, who resided in Upperville, Virginia. Upon his death in 1999, Mellon bequeathed the piece to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., while granting a life interest to his wife, Mrs. Mellon. This life interest was subsequently released in 2004, granting the museum full ownership.
The painting is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Its provenance traces to Paul Mellon of Upperville, Virginia, who bequeathed the work to the museum in 1999 while retaining a life interest for his wife. This life interest was released in 2004, finalizing the gallery's full ownership. The provided sources do not contain information regarding specific exhibition history or an inventory accession number for the work.
Overview
Painted in 1882, Henri Fantin-Latour's _Roses de Nice_ on a Table is an oil-on-canvas still life. This work exemplifies the artist's consistent focus on floral subjects, for which he was widely recognized. The composition features a simple arrangement of roses, rendered with a keen eye for the nuances of color and surface quality, characteristic of his approach to botanical studies.
Context
Active during the late 19th century, Henri Fantin-Latour was a notable figure within Parisian artistic and literary circles. While working in a period that saw the emergence of Post-Impressionism, his floral still lifes, including this one, maintained a refined yet expressive quality. His contributions helped shape the evolving landscape of French painting, moving towards more individualistic and structurally considered artistic expressions.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ignace Henri Jean Theodore Fantin-Latour (French pronunciation:; 14 January 1836 – 25 August 1904) was a French painter and lithographer best known for his flower paintings and group portraits of Parisian artists and writers.
