Chrysanthemums in a Vase

Fantin-Latour’s painting does not fall within a particular style. His portraits and still-lifes are decidedly Realist (he spent a period as a pupil of Courbet), whereas his mythological paintings are closer to academic painting, but with hints of Symbolism.

Fantin-Latour produced a type of still-life and flower piece in which he created composition of great volume and dynamism through his use of light. In this vase of chrysanthemums, a theatrical light falling from the left highlights the yellows and reds of the blooms against the totally black background.