“Asters and Fruit on a Table,” painted in 1868 by Henri Fantin-Latour, is an oil on canvas artwork that belongs to the Realism art movement. It is a representation of the still life genre.
The artwork depicts a meticulously arranged composition of asters in a tall, dark vase, prominently placed on a wooden table. The vibrant flowers, rendered in hues of white, pink, and purple, exude delicate textures and meticulous detailing. Adjacent to the vase, a variety of fruits, including grapes, pears, apples, and plums, lie on the table. The fruits are illustrated with realism, enhancing their lifelike appearance through careful attention to light and shadow. The subdued background ensures that the focus remains on the elegantly arranged still life, making the intricate details of the asters and fruit stand out with clarity and precision. This masterful depiction showcases Fantin-Latour’s exceptional skill in capturing the beauty and essence of everyday objects through his adept use of oil on canvas.
