Artwork
Autumn Flowers
Autumn Flowers is an oil painting by the Realist artist Alfred Stevens. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
About this work
Overview
Autumn Flowers is an 1867 oil painting by Alfred Stevens, a 19th-century Belgian artist known for realistic portrayals of elegant women, often influenced by 17th-century Dutch genre painting.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a woman in contemplative solitude, standing beside a table with a vase of mixed autumn flowers (white, pink, brown), her attention absorbed by the blooms while holding a letter, suggesting a moment of introspective pause.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work showcases Stevens' meticulous finish, characteristic of his Realist approach, with detailed rendering of textures (e.g., the woman's attire, the patterned tablecloth, and the decorated vase).
History & Provenance
Autumn Flowers is part of the collection at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, reflecting the institution's holdings of 19th-century Belgian art.
Context
Created during the Realism movement, the painting aligns with the era's emphasis on everyday life and ordinary moments, yet retains an air of refined elegance typical of Stevens' oeuvre.
Legacy
As part of Stevens' body of work, Autumn Flowers contributes to the understanding of 19th-century Belgian Realism and its intersection with traditional Dutch influences, though its specific impact or notable exhibitions are not highlighted in available information.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alfred Émile Léopold Stevens (11 May 1823 – 24 August 1906) was a Belgian painter, known for his paintings of elegant modern women.
Museum
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
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