Chrysanthemums 1871

Henri Fantin-Latour painted ‘Chrysanthemums’ with oil on canvas, at a time when the rigid hierarchy of genres in painting was beginning to blur. Though traditionally still life was seen as less important, the sensitivity with which Fantin-Latour captured flowers brought him considerable success in the late 19th century. During this era the middle class was growing, and with it a desire to display good taste and refinement in the home. Fantin-Latour found a ready market for his paintings of flowers, especially among the English. Yet he also used the genre to explore the ephemeral nature of beauty and life. Look at the way he contrasts the delicate blooms with the dark, undefined background. It evokes a sense of melancholy, as if the flowers are fading even as we admire them. It's interesting to note that whilst the artist maintained some traditional aspects of representation he infused his work with a deeply personal and emotional dimension. This painting reflects both the societal values and the individual's experience of fleeting beauty and the passage of time.