Eugène Claude, French Floral Still Life, 1880, Oil on Canvas

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A substantial and beautifully executed 19th-century French floral still life by Eugène Claude (1841–1922), signed and dated 1880. The composition … Read more A substantial and beautifully executed 19th-century French floral still life by Eugène Claude (1841–1922), signed and dated 1880. The composition depicts an abundant arrangement of freshly gathered flowers overflowing from rustic woven baskets. Large white blooms dominate the foreground, surrounded by rich shades of violet, purple, pink and burgundy, with deep green foliage emerging from the darker background. Claude's accomplished handling of light is particularly evident across the white flowers, which stand prominently against the surrounding shadows. The loosely worked petals, foliage and textured foreground give the painting a naturalistic quality while retaining the richness and drama associated with late 19th-century French still-life painting. The substantial dimensions make this an especially decorative work, while the restrained palette and areas of deep shadow give the flowers considerable visual impact. Signed and dated "Eug. Claude 80" lower right, corresponding to 1880. The painting is presented in its original ornate giltwood frame, with carved foliate decoration, which complements the period character of the work. About the Artist Eugène Claude (1841–1922) was a French painter known particularly for his still lifes, flowers, fruit, game and genre subjects. Claude exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1861, receiving an honourable mention in 1885 and a third-class medal in 1887. He was also awarded a third-class medal at the Exposition Universelle of 1889 in Paris and exhibited at the Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts in 1886. His paintings entered a number of French public collections, and examples of his work have appeared on the international art market throughout Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. This large, signed and dated floral composition is a particularly decorative example of Claude's still-life painting. Artist: Eugène Claude (1841–1922) Date: 1880 Medium: Oil on canvas Subject: Floral still life Signature: Signed and dated lower right, "Eug. Claude 80" Artwork dimensions: 75 × 105 cm (29 1/2 × 41 1/2 in.) Framed dimensions: 105 × 136 cm (41 1/2 × 53 1/2 in.) Frame: Original ornate giltwood frame Origin: France Period: Late 19th century / 1880s See less