Artwork
Still Life with Flowers
Still Life with Flowers is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1892, *Still Life with Flowers* is an oil painting on canvas that presents a modest tabletop scene. A dark vase holds a loosely arranged bouquet of vivid reds, whites and yellows, its green foliage spilling over the rim. The composition rests on a light‑colored cloth, while the background is rendered in a swirling blend of blues, greens and pinks, giving the work a dreamlike ambience.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a simple arrangement of cut flowers, yet the tilted stems and the sense of movement suggest a fleeting moment captured in time. The bright palette and the informal placement of the blossoms convey a quiet celebration of natural beauty, aligning with the artist’s interest in expressing emotional resonance through everyday objects.
Technique & Style
Gauguin applied paint with a pronounced impasto, allowing the pigments to stand out in thick, uneven strokes that give the colors a tactile presence. This approach, combined with the flattened background and bold chromatic contrasts, reflects his developing Synthetist method, which sought to synthesize form and color into a cohesive visual language beyond strict naturalism.
History & Provenance
Although painted during Gauguin’s early involvement with the Impressionist circle, the piece anticipates his later shift toward Post‑Impressionist and Symbolist concerns. The painting entered the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display, offering insight into the artist’s transitional phase and his evolving aesthetic priorities.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (; French: ; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer, whose work has been primarily associated with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements.
