Dahlias, Queens Daisies, Roses and Corn Flowers 1861

Henri Fantin-Latour painted ‘Dahlias, Queens Daisies, Roses and Corn Flowers’ with oil on canvas. During the 19th century, the French Academy heavily influenced artistic taste. Fantin-Latour found a niche painting still lifes of flowers, which were popular with the rising middle class. These paintings were less controversial than history painting, the genre considered most prestigious by the Academy, but allowed the artist to cultivate a market for his work, in Britain in particular. Consider the way Fantin-Latour creates meaning. The carefully arranged bouquet and dark background evoke a sense of bourgeois domesticity. By focusing on the beauty of everyday objects, Fantin-Latour subtly challenged the Academy’s hierarchy of genres and offered a more accessible form of art for the growing middle class. By studying historical records, market reports, and exhibition reviews, we can gain a deeper understanding of Fantin-Latour's place in the art world of his time. We see how this work reflects the changing social and economic conditions of 19th century France and the institutions through which art was made and received.