Flowers in a Green Vase Dahlilas and Asters 1910

Pierre-Auguste Renoir likely made this oil painting, "Flowers in a Green Vase, Dahlias and Asters," near the end of his career. It represents, on the surface, a simple vase of flowers, however it is more useful to consider the socio-cultural implications. This work is typical of the kind of painting that would be chosen by the rising bourgeoisie to adorn their houses. The subject is decorative, with no overt political or social commentary. It is pleasing to the eye and projects a sense of beauty and harmony. It therefore subtly reinforces the values of the social class that consumes it. To understand this more fully, one could turn to period writings on art and culture, exhibition reviews, and sales records. The art historian looks beyond the surface of beauty to understand the cultural work that it performs.