The Bouquet 1889

Vittorio Matteo Corcos made ‘The Bouquet’ using oil paint, which gives it that smooth, almost porcelain-like finish. Corcos has used traditional art materials in a way that elevates the sitter, focusing our attention on her beauty, her delicate dress, and the blooms in her hands. Think about the labor involved in creating this illusion: the mining and grinding of pigments, the weaving of canvas, the skilled application of brushstrokes. Yet, this effort is deliberately concealed, lending an air of effortless grace to the scene. Beyond the surface, 'The Bouquet' also invites us to consider the social context in which it was created. What does it mean to create artworks celebrating the leisure and beauty of the wealthy class? This questions the status quo, and whether the value of the work lies in the skill and labor involved in its creation, or the social commentary it subtly provides.