Artwork
Potted Pansies
Potted Pansies is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The formal focus remains on the depiction of flowers, consistent with the artist's known specialization in floral still lifes.
Potted Pansies is an oil-on-canvas painting executed by Henri Fantin-Latour in 1892. Classified as a still life, the work depicts a floral arrangement rendered in oil paint on a canvas support. The physical dimensions of the piece measure 27.9 centimeters in height and 34.3 centimeters in width.
As a work from the late 19th century by the French artist, the painting adheres to the traditional techniques of the genre. The formal focus remains on the depiction of flowers, consistent with the artist's known specialization in floral still lifes.
History & Provenance
Potted Pansies is an oil on canvas painting executed in 1892 by French artist Henri Fantin-Latour. The work measures 27.9 × 34.3 cm and belongs to the still-life genre, depicting a modest arrangement of pansies in a pot. It is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is inventoried as 1993.132.1.
The painting entered the museum's collection in 1993 as a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. McVeigh.
Overview
Henri Fantin-Latour's Potted Pansies, painted in 1892, is an oil still life that exemplifies his dedication to botanical subjects. This work captures a simple arrangement of flowers, showcasing the artist's distinctive approach to composition and color within the broader context of late 19th-century Parisian art. It is currently part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a modest cluster of pansies in a container, set against a dark, undefined background. Various shades of white, yellow, and purple blooms, interspersed with green foliage, create a vibrant focal point. Fantin-Latour frequently returned to floral themes, elevating everyday botanical arrangements into subjects for contemplative study, a practice that became a hallmark of his artistic output.
Context
While active during the Impressionist era in Paris, Henri Fantin-Latour cultivated a unique artistic path. He was recognized for both his intimate floral still lifes and his significant group portraits of contemporary artists and writers. Potted Pansies reflects his particular focus on botanical subjects, a specialization that distinguished his contributions to the art world of his time, offering a quieter, more focused perspective amidst the era's stylistic innovations.
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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.
