Artwork
Still Life with Flowers
Still Life with Flowers is an oil painting by Pierre Laprade. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Western Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1913, this oil painting by Pierre Laprade presents a modest still‑life composition. A dark, polished vase holds a cluster of pink blossoms that appear to spill slightly beyond its rim, set upon a light‑toned tabletop. The background is rendered in a subdued hue, allowing the floral arrangement to command quiet visual attention.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on a single bouquet of pink flowers, arranged in an informal, almost spontaneous manner. By allowing some blossoms to extend beyond the confines of the vase, Laprade suggests a natural, unforced growth, evoking a sense of gentle vitality within an otherwise restrained setting.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs a smooth, reflective surface for the vase contrasted with softer brushwork on the petals. The muted background tone serves to isolate the bright flowers, while the limited palette and restrained detail reflect an early‑20th‑century approach to still‑life that favors subtle tonal harmony over elaborate ornamentation.
History & Provenance
The canvas entered the collection of the National Museum of Western Art, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Laprade and dating to circa 1913 are based on stylistic analysis and museum records, situating the piece within the artist’s productive period in the years preceding World War I.
Artist & collection
