Artwork

Flowers in a Handled Vase

Flowers in a Handled Vase, by Edward Middleton Manigault, unspecified, 1920
Flowers in a Handled Vase, by Edward Middleton Manigault, unspecified, 1920

Flowers in a Handled Vase is an unspecified painting by Edward Middleton Manigault. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Edward Middleton Manigault’s 1920 oil painting *Flowers in a Handled Vase* is part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s collection. The composition presents a single vase with a pronounced handle, set upon a loosely draped cloth, and filled with a lush bouquet of red and pink blossoms accented by green foliage. The work exemplifies Manigault’s focus on intimate still‑life subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif is the arrangement of flowers, rendered with vivid hues that draw the viewer’s eye to their form and color. The juxtaposition of the bright petals against the muted background cloth creates a sense of quiet celebration of natural beauty, a common aim in Manigault’s floral studies.

Technique & Style

Manigault employs a tight brushwork that captures the texture of petals and leaves, while the handling of light on the glazed vase suggests a reflective surface. The palette is dominated by saturated reds and pinks, balanced by cooler greens and the neutral tones of the cloth, reflecting the artist’s post‑impressionist sensibility.

History & Provenance

Created in 1920, the painting entered the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century. It remains documented as a representative example of Manigault’s later still‑life output, illustrating his continued interest in decorative composition after his earlier modernist experiments.

Artist & collection