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For collectors searching still life oil painting, The Bouquet is a dependable choice. Painted in layered oils on canvas after John William Godward, this timeless work reads equally well as classic canvas wall art and as a thoughtful housewarming gift.
1899
Oil on canvas
Private Collection.
By 1899, when the present work was painted, Godward had firmly established his reputation and been exhibiting at the Royal Academy for over a decade. This particular composition displays many of the hallmarks of the aesthetics of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema and the Victorian interest in the revival of classicism and ancient Rome, prevalent at the beginning of the twentieth century, which promoted the importance of formal and sensual qualities over visual narrative. Godward’s vision of the Antique age was of a golden utopia, a world of marble terraces by the ocean where the sun is warm enough to persuade his earthly goddesses to eschew labor while surrounded by flowers and sunlight.
Despite changes in taste and fashion brought on by the fin-de-siècle’s turn towards modernism, Godward maintained his commitment to classical subjects and love of antiquity through the end of his career, fascinated by excavations in Pompeii and other archeological sites which fueled his imagination. In The Bouquet, he has included a bronze herm in the background, clearly inscribed Genio L nostri Felix, referencing a statue that was excavated in Pompeii from the Casa di Cecilio Giocondo, excavated between 1844 and 1875 and now in the Naples Archeological Museum.
Characteristically, Godward takes every opportunity to exhibit his technical virtuosity in the present work. The composition is framed by strong vertical and horizontal lines and a shallow depth of field, softened by the dappled sunlight shining through a pergola which supports carefully rendered vines. His model stands in contemplation and gently lays fresh flowers on a marble table whose base takes the form of a crouching sphynx. A master colorist, the palette of rich hues is typical of Godward but particularly strong in the present work: the model is dressed in a burnt-russet colored stola (the feminine form of the ancient Roman toga), drawn tightly at the waist with a palla (Roman shawl) of a pale teal color, and tied with a brilliant yellow ribbon. The exquisitely tiled floor, lifelike tiger pelt, and brilliant poppies all contribute to this meticulously crafted scene.
The still life subject is rebuilt stroke by stroke in oil, giving the finished canvas the depth expected of timeless oil painting wall decor.
This is a genuine hand painted oil painting, not a canvas print. Our painters match the palette of The Bouquet by eye and build up the still life forms in thin layers, which is what gives the finished still life oil painting its luminosity.
Hang this still life oil painting above a sofa, console, or bed to give a hallway an instant focal point. Its timeless palette works with both minimalist and period interiors, and the piece also makes a considered gift for housewarmings, weddings, and art lovers.
In short: The Bouquet - John William Godward - Canvas Oil Painting combines a timeless composition, a 100% hand painted oil painting process, and the flexibility of made-to-order canvas sizes — a dependable choice for still life oil painting and hallway wall art.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 30 X 40 in | $234.98 |
| 36 X 48 in | $318.48 |
| 48 X 72 in | $606.98 |
The sizes shown are the reproduction canvas sizes we paint to order. The dimensions given in a work's description refer to the original artwork and will differ from the sizes offered here. Not sure? Read the size guide or e-mail us.
Free on orders over $60; a flat $5 below that. Dispatched in 1–2 business days; 30 days to send it back. Full policy.
Every canvas is painted by hand in oils on artist-grade stretched canvas, with an extra blank border left for framing. How to care for your painting.
Measurements are on the size guide, or e-mail [email protected] and we reply within one business day.
