Artwork
Marigolds and Tangerines
Marigolds and Tangerines is an oil painting by Félix Vallotton. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right: F. VALLOTTON.24
About this work
Overview
Created in 1924, Marigolds and Tangerines is an oil painting on canvas by Félix Vallotton, a Swiss‑French artist linked to the Les Nabis group. The work presents a modest still‑life composition that brings together bright marigold blossoms, tangerines and a simple brown vase set on a woven tabletop against a pale wall.
Subject & Meaning
The arrangement follows a traditional still‑life motif, juxtaposing the vivid orange of the flowers and fruit with the muted green of the leaves. This contrast highlights the fleeting quality of natural objects while emphasizing their tactile presence within an intimate interior space.
Technique & Style
Vallouton employs a restrained palette of earthy tones, allowing the orange hues of the marigolds and tangerines to stand out. The brushwork is precise yet unembellished, reflecting his characteristic unemotional realism that evolved from earlier academic influences toward a more simplified visual language during his Nabis period.
History & Provenance
The painting belongs to the later phase of Vallotton’s career, after his involvement with Les Nabis in the 1890s and his contributions to modern woodcut techniques. It was executed shortly before his death in 1925, marking one of his final explorations of still‑life subjects.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Félix Édouard Vallotton (French: ; December 28, 1865 – December 29, 1925) was a Swiss and French painter and printmaker associated with the group of artists known as Les Nabis.
