Carnations 1899

Henri Fantin-Latour, working in 19th century France, painted 'Carnations' using oil on canvas with dimensions of 31 by 28 centimeters. Fantin-Latour, situated between the Realist and Impressionist movements, developed a practice deeply embedded in bourgeois culture and its aesthetic values. With its intimate scale, this still life speaks to the social roles of women in that era, where domesticity was highly valued. Flowers, often associated with femininity, carry layers of meaning within the history of art. The carnations, symbols of love and beauty, were particularly popular at the time. Yet, Fantin-Latour avoids idealizing the flowers, instead capturing their natural, transient beauty. This representation resists traditional gendered expectations, offering a vision of beauty rooted in reality rather than idealized form. 'Carnations' reflects not only the artist's personal connection to his subject, but also the broader cultural and social values of his time, prompting viewers to reflect on the ever-changing definitions of beauty and femininity.