Henri Fantin-Latour and Vase of Peonies

 'Vase of Peonies' (1902) by Henri Fantin-Latour; Private Collection

When you google the paintings of today's French artist Henri Fantin-Latour, born on 14 January 1836 and died on 25 August 1904, you see mainly paintings of flowers and group portraits. But there are also some nice single portraits so I had initially chosen Portrait of Sonia as today's painting. I wanted to add some links to a couple of his still life paintings because I have to say they are quite exquisite. I wanted to show you these still lifes (click here and here and here) and had chosen the painting of the 'Vase of Peonies' as an added link. But then looking at it closer, I liked it so much that I decided to use it for today. I hardly have done any posts on still lifes and I love peonies so this is a good opportunity. Fantin-Latour was a contemporary of the Impressionists but his style was more conservative. His paintings are done in an almost photographic realistic style. The use of colour is intense. His group portraits are of contemporary Parisian artists (e.g. Eugène Delacroix, Manet, Monet, Renoir) who were friends of his. These paintings have become important historical documents.

Frank Weston Benson and Still Life with Flowers

'Still life with flowers' (1922) by Frank Weston Benson; Private Collection?

When you google Frank Weston Benson's name, an American Impressionist painter, born on the 24th of March, 1862, you will find plenty of paintings that I might like. As you must know by now, I prefer portraits over landscapes and still lifes, and Benson has done some fine woman portraits. The reason that I chose this still life is that I hardly ever come across a still life with flowers that I like. So even though I like this woman's portrait very much, I think it would be nice not to post a portrait again. I like this still life with flowers because I like a simple flower arrangement like this, as well as the glass vase and ceramic saucer. This is something that you could see in my interior. But then I also like the way Benson has put this image to the paper (it's water colour on paper). I like the brightness of the painting and the way the light in the glass catches your eye. I couldn't find its location though but I have a feeling it's in private hands since it's been for sale at this gallery. Or maybe it hasn't sold yet. I wouldn't mind having it.

Raphaelle Peale and Blackberries

'Blackberries' (1813) by Raphaelle Peale; De Young Museum, San Francisco

I'm not really fond of still life paintings in general but now and then you see a painting that is so fine in detail and beautiful in colour that it is just difficult to ignore. The painter of this lovely still life scene with blackberries was Raphaelle Peale, born on the 17th of February, 1774, and considered to be the first professional still life painter in the United States and still one of its finest. Most of his paintings are small in scale and depict objects arranged on a table. He was taught to paint by his father Charles Willson Peale, a portrait painter, who had named his children after great artists. At first Raphaelle dedicated himself to portrait painting but due to health problems (caused by alcoholism and gout) he turned to still life painting. Many of these still lifes were painted under extreme conditions of chronic illness. His father constantly urged Raphaelle to take up portrait painting since it was more lucrative and more prestigious. But Raphaelle stayed with still lifes and it is for these paintings that he is best known. I'm delighted to make his acquaintance today.