Who painted Flowers on a Japanese Tray on a Mahogany Table?

Flowers on a Japanese Tray on a Mahogany Table was painted by John La Farge in 1890.

Where can I see Flowers on a Japanese Tray on a Mahogany Table?

Flowers on a Japanese Tray on a Mahogany Table is held by Brooklyn Museum.

What movement is Flowers on a Japanese Tray on a Mahogany Table?

Flowers on a Japanese Tray on a Mahogany Table is associated with American Impressionism.

Artwork

Flowers on a Japanese Tray on a Mahogany Table

John La Farge , 1890

Flowers on a Japanese Tray on a Mahogany Table is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist John La Farge. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.

About this work

Overview

John La Farge’s 1890 oil painting presents a quiet still‑life in which a bouquet of pink and white blossoms rests upon a rectangular Japanese‑style tray, itself set on a polished mahogany tabletop. The composition balances delicate floral forms against the deep, warm tones of the tray and table, creating a restrained yet luminous scene that reflects La Farge’s interest in everyday elegance.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a modest arrangement of blossoms, centered by a larger white flower surrounded by smaller pink blooms. The informal, almost spontaneous placement suggests a fleeting moment of natural beauty captured in an interior setting, inviting contemplation of the transience of floral life and the quiet dignity of domestic objects.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting displays La Farge’s characteristic brushwork, where visible strokes convey texture on both the petals and the glossy surfaces of the tray and table. The handling of light emphasizes the reflective quality of the mahogany, while the loose, gestural application of paint to the flowers imparts a sense of movement consistent with American Impressionist tendencies.

History & Provenance

Created in 1890, the piece belongs to the period when La Farge was expanding his artistic repertoire beyond illustration and stained‑glass design. While specific ownership records are limited, the painting has been catalogued among his oil works and remains associated with his broader output during a prolific phase of his career.

Context

At the time of its creation, La Farge was engaged in diverse projects, including mural commissions and the design of church windows across the eastern United States. His exposure to Japanese decorative motifs, popular in late‑19th‑century American art, informs the tray’s design, situating the work within the broader cultural fascination with Japonisme and the evolving American Impressionist movement.

Artist & collection

Artist

John La Farge

John La Farge (March 31, 1835 – November 14, 1910) was an American artist whose career spanned illustration, murals, interior design, painting, and popular books on his Asian travels and other art-related topics.