Chrysanthemums in a Vase 1893

Gustave Caillebotte's "Chrysanthemums in a Vase" is a still life painting, its surface built from the oil paint. The smooth glazed ceramic, decorated with blue floral patterns of the vase, contrasts with the bristling textures of the bouquet of chrysanthemums. Caillebotte, while associated with the Impressionists, had a distinct approach. In this painting, the execution involves a combination of brushstrokes and layering that creates a sense of depth and texture. The artist uses the materiality of the paint to build up forms and capture light, and the handling of the paint is crucial to understanding the painting’s aesthetic. The painting has its social context too. Chrysanthemums were popular in upper-middle-class homes, and the imported ceramics used as a display vessel were a common symbol of cosmopolitan, bourgeois life. Caillebotte’s image is not just a depiction of flowers, but it reflects the artist's engagement with the culture of his time, and the commodification of beauty.