Roses 1885

Henri Fantin-Latour made this painting of Roses in France during the late 19th century. Flower paintings like this were popular among the rising middle class in Europe at the time, who were keen to display their wealth and taste through art. Fantin-Latour was part of a generation of artists who were questioning the established art institutions. While some of his contemporaries were pushing the boundaries of art with radical new styles, Fantin-Latour chose to work within the established genre of still life. This painting reflects the conservative tastes of the art market at that time. It suited the collectors who preferred traditional subjects and styles. The muted colors and careful arrangement of the roses are rendered in the traditions of the old masters. To understand the context of this artwork, it can be useful to look into the journals and letters of collectors at the time, or the exhibition reviews that appeared in newspapers and magazines. These paintings tell us about the society that produced them and how art was consumed and understood.