French school; 20th century.

French school; 20th century.
"Chrysanthemums in a vase".
Oil on canvas.
Signed "Ratier" in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 60 x 50 cm; 72 x 62 cm (frame).
This painting shows a clear influence of Henri Fantin-Latour in the choice of the floral motif and in the intimate atmosphere of the composition. As in the French master's still lifes, the work concentrates on the delicacy of the flowers and the tonal harmony, giving absolute prominence to the bouquet against a sober background.
However, the painting moves away from the meticulous academic finish with a more undone and free brushstroke, characteristic of the modern sensibility of the twentieth century. The flowers are constructed through loose and vibrant touches that prioritize visual impression and material richness over precise detail. This technique brings freshness and spontaneity to the composition, generating a sense of movement and lightness.
The combination between the floral tradition inherited from Fantin-Latour and a more spontaneous execution places the work within a pictorial line where the still life ceases to be solely descriptive and becomes an exercise in color, atmosphere and pictorial sensitivity.