Jean-louis Bonthoux (1828-1875), Still Life With Pomegranate, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes,...

Oil on canvas. Signed and dated lower right. 72 x 60 cm.
Still life with pomegranate, peaches, pears, plums, grapes, walnuts and hazelnuts, 1846.

Within our painting we find a still life presenting plums in the foreground still clinging to their foliage as well as peaches, pears and grapes within a white earthenware dish. In the background, white and black grapes overflow from a bowl and we also find a pomegranate as well as walnuts and hazelnuts.

This painting by Bonthoux of remarkable realism serves an elegant composition perfectly balanced, on a neutral background. This type of composition is reminiscent of the Dutch still lifes of the 17th century where precious objects were highlighted. Our painting is dated 1846. This year is crucial in the career of our artist since it is the first year that Bonthoux exhibited at the Salon de Lyon.

A student of Thierriat at the École des Beaux-Arts in Lyon, Bonthoux exhibited paintings of flowers, fruit, and still lifes from 1846 to 1875. At the same time, he worked as a designer for the Grande Fabrique de Soie.