A Plate of Apples 1861

Editor: Here we have Fantin-Latour's "A Plate of Apples," housed at the Tate. The dark background really makes those apples pop! What do you make of it? Curator: Fantin-Latour was operating in a time when the art world was obsessed with grand narratives. By focusing on simple still lifes, he carved out a space to explore everyday life, resisting the pressure to create overtly political or historical works. The apples themselves become a statement. What do you think this act of resistance means? Editor: I never thought about it that way. It’s interesting that something so simple could be seen as radical. Curator: Exactly! It reveals how deeply ingrained expectations were about the role of art in society. Perhaps a critique of consumerism, as well? Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks!