Vase with Apples and Foliage 1878

Henri Fantin-Latour made this painting with oil on canvas, a traditional fine art medium. But notice how Fantin-Latour's application of paint is not about capturing a fleeting moment. It is about the qualities of substance, texture, weight, colour and form. Look at how the brushstrokes build up the form of the apples and foliage, creating a sense of volume and tactility. There's a real sense of the labor and time involved in the production of this painting. The choice of subject matter is also important. By elevating everyday objects to the level of fine art, Fantin-Latour challenges traditional distinctions between high art and craft. His focus on the inherent qualities of materials and processes elevates what might have otherwise been considered decorative or functional.