Henri Fantin-Latour
Henri Fantin-Latour was a French painter and lithographer best known for his flower paintings and group portraits of Parisian artists and writers. After studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1854, he devoted much time to copying the works of the old masters in the Musée du Louvre. Although Fantin-Latour befriended several of the young artists who would later be associated with Impressionism, including Whistler and Manet, Fantin-Latour's own work remained conservative in style. His works at the beginning of his career were marked by purity and simplicity of composition. With the extraordinary eye for detail that he had developed as a portrait painter, Fantin-Latour was able to depict each element of his still lifes with remarkable specificity.
P.S. If you liked this work, check out another still life by Fantin-Latour. Beautiful, isn't it?
P.P.S. The painting we present today is featured in our new Food & Drinks in Art 50 Postcards Set. Beware; looking at them may make you hungry!