Artwork
Bouquet of Roses
Bouquet of Roses is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Bouquet of Roses is a 1879 lithograph on wove paper by French artist Henri Fantin-Latour, showcasing his characteristic attention to detail in floral still lifes.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a tightly arranged bouquet of red and white roses in a simple glass vase, emphasizing the artist's focus on capturing the subtleties of floral subjects.
Technique & Style
Created using a stone slab drawing technique, the lithograph features precise, delicate rendering of roses, with small dots and lines imbuing the leaves with a soft, glowing effect.
History & Provenance
This piece is a trial print (prueba), indicating Fantin-Latour's iterative process of refining details and ink application to achieve the desired appearance, particularly in the texture of rose petals.
Context
Part of the artist's extensive series of flower studies, Bouquet of Roses reflects Fantin-Latour's dual practice as both a painter and lithographer, known also for his portraits of contemporary Parisian intellectuals.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ignace Henri Jean Theodore Fantin-Latour (French pronunciation: ; 14 January 1836 – 25 August 1904) was a French painter and lithographer best known for his flower paintings and group portraits of Parisian artists and writers.
