Artwork
Asters and Fruit on a Table
Asters and Fruit on a Table is an oil painting by the Realist artist Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
A dark vase of white, pink, and purple asters stands beside a plate of red and green grapes, with pears and apples on the table. Painted in close, realistic detail, the flowers and fruit stand out against a plain gray background. By Henri Fantin-Latour, 1868.
Subject & Meaning
Asters and Fruit on a Table presents a classic still life composition featuring a specific arrangement of floral and botanical elements.
Asters and Fruit on a Table presents a classic still life composition featuring a specific arrangement of floral and botanical elements. The subject matter consists explicitly of asters, grapes, apples, and pears, all situated upon a table surface. As a work created in 1868 by Henri Fantin-Latour, the painting focuses on the formal presentation of these natural objects without depicting human figures or narrative scenes.
The iconography is rooted in the tradition of floral and fruit still lifes, where the juxtaposition of the delicate asters with the substantial forms of the fruit creates a study of texture and color. The work represents a quiet, observational approach to nature, emphasizing the aesthetic qualities of the depicted items rather than assigning them specific allegorical meanings within the provided documentation.
Technique & Style
Henri Fantin‑Latour executed Asters and Fruit on a Table as an oil painting on canvas in 1868, a work classified as a painting and currently held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The canvas measures roughly 56.8 cm by 54.9 cm, as recorded in the museum’s catalog. The composition presents a carefully arranged still‑life of asters together with grapes, apples and pears, rendered with naturalistic detail typical of French academic practice of the era.
The artwork’s material consists of oil paint applied to a stretched canvas support, though the sources do not specify its present condition.
History & Provenance
Henri Fantin-Latour executed the oil painting Asters and Fruit on a Table in 1868. Created on canvas, the work measures 56.8 by 54.9 centimeters and depicts a still life arrangement featuring flowers alongside grapes, apples, and pears. The piece currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is held as part of their permanent holdings.
While the specific circumstances of its commission or its ownership history prior to entering the museum are not detailed in the available records, the work is firmly attributed to the French artist's output from the late 1860s.
Overview
Henri Fantin-Latour's 1868 oil painting, Asters and Fruit on a Table, exemplifies his approach to still life within the Realist tradition. This composition meticulously renders an arrangement of cut flowers and various fruits, showcasing the artist's skill in depicting natural forms. The work is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Context
Henri Fantin-Latour, a French painter and lithographer, gained recognition for his still-life compositions and his group portraits of prominent Parisian artists and writers. This painting aligns with the Realist movement of the mid-19th century, which prioritized accurate and unidealized depictions of everyday subjects. His still lifes, like this one, reflect a quiet observation of domestic beauty.
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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.
