Roses dans un vase de cristal 1894

Henri Fantin-Latour created this oil painting of roses in a crystal vase at some point during his career as a 19th-century French artist. Still life painting saw a resurgence during this time as the art world was moving away from academic painting that depicted historical or mythological scenes. Fantin-Latour's paintings of flowers can be seen as part of a wider trend in French painting, one that placed more importance on everyday experience. Yet we might consider that the painting of flowers served a particular social function during this period. With their associations of beauty, luxury, and the domestic sphere, images of flowers like these were often purchased by members of the bourgeoisie. It is important to remember that the meaning of art objects is contingent on their social context. By researching such things as the art market of late 19th-century France, we can come to a richer understanding of the role this painting played in its time.