Who painted Madame Lerolle?

Madame Lerolle was painted by Henri Fantin-Latour in 1882.

Where can I see Madame Lerolle?

Madame Lerolle is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Madame Lerolle?

Madame Lerolle is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Madame Lerolle

Henri Fantin-Latour , 1882

Madame Lerolle is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1969.54
Credit line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund and the Fanny Tewksbury King Collection by exchange

About this work

This portrait shows a woman in dark clothes sitting by a table with red roses. A vase holds the roses near her right hand. Soft light falls on her face and the flowers.

Fantin-Latour often painted flowers in quiet settings. Here he adds one to a family portrait. The roses stand out against the dark background.

If this style catches your eye, look up Henri Fantin-Latour (French, 1836–1904).

Overview

This portrait by Henri Fantin-Latour depicts Madeleine Escudier Lerolle, wife of artist Henry Lerolle, seated beside a table with a vase of red roses.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Madeleine Lerolle, is shown in dark attire, with soft light illuminating her face and the flowers nearby, creating a sense of intimacy.

Technique & Style

Fantin-Latour's characteristic restrained palette is enlivened by the vibrant roses, a motif he often used in his still lifes and occasionally incorporated into his portraits.

Context

Fantin-Latour had established a British clientele for his floral still lifes by the time he painted this portrait, and the inclusion of the roses adds a touch of warmth to the otherwise subdued scene.

Artist & collection

Artist

Henri Fantin-Latour

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.