Roses 1871

Henri Fantin-Latour painted Roses with oil on canvas, a traditional medium for its time. Notice how Fantin-Latour applied the oil paint to the canvas. The brushstrokes create soft and delicate forms. Each petal of the roses is rendered with careful attention to light and shadow. Fantin-Latour’s technique gives the flowers a lifelike quality, capturing their fleeting beauty. The glass vase, leaves, and table surface showcase his masterful manipulation of tone and texture. The artist worked with great care and control, applying layer upon layer of paint to achieve the final effect. Yet, this painting can also be seen in the context of the art market. It was destined to be sold. Fantin-Latour knew that a painting like this would have great appeal for the growing middle class. Through his attention to materials, making, and context, Fantin-Latour elevated a simple subject into a work of art.