François Vernay (1821 – 1896), Still Life With Roses And Grapes

Oil on canvas. Signed lower left. 28 × 37 cm.

Vernay studied at the École des Beaux-Arts de Lyon and exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1868 to 1880. He devoted himself almost exclusively to still life, following in the tradition of the Lyonnaise painters who excelled in this genre. A major figure, he distinguished himself by his technique and by a rich, nuanced palette. His warm harmonies rest on a generous yet always balanced use of color. From the 1850s onward, his painting evolved toward a freer and more sensitive expression, favoring spontaneity over meticulous description.

In this work, Vernay reveals the full subtlety of his colorist sensibility. On a marble or polished wooden table, a faience vase holds a blooming bouquet of roses blending cream, pink, and carmine tones. To the right, a cluster of golden grapes stands out against the pearly-gray background, punctuated by a darker mass of black grapes and a red apple in the foreground. The soft, diffused light envelops the objects in a muted, intimate atmosphere.
The supple and vibrant paint surface reveals a free, confident gesture, with light, nuanced impastos. Vernay favors suggestion over detailed depiction, giving the scene a quiet intimacy. The composition captivates by the harmony of its color accords and the restrained sensuality of its brushwork.

His works are held in several French and international museums, including the Louvre and the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.