Dahlias

Artist Henri Fantin-Latour (Grenoble, France, 1836 - 1904)

Date1873

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsHeight: 33.2 cm, Width: 48.3 cm
Frame Size: 61.5 x 71.5 x 10cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1932 with income from the Webster Bequest.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG002546

Keywords

Dahlia

About MeIn this painting Fantin-Latour has depicted a bunch of autumn flowering dahlias hastily arranged in a simple jug. In spite of criticism by his contemporaries, Fantin-Latour liked rich colour combinations and in this work yellow, white, terracotta, red and purple pompom dahlias jostle for space in the crowded vase. Fantin had achieved his aim: "by oppositions to arrive at harmony".

The orange-red dahlia at the bottom of the picture is built up with touches of vermilion, madder lake, and cadmium, whilst the bright yellow bloom above it is created by mixing cadmium and yellow ochre. For the white blooms thick paint is applied in short dashes, giving the flowers an immediacy, vibrancy and also a real sense of their fullness.