François Bonvin
Still Life with Asparagus
1862
Physical Qualities
Oil on wood panel, 15 13/16 x 12 1/2 in. (40.2 x 31.8 cm.)
Credit Line
The George A. Lucas Collection, purchased with funds from the State of Maryland, Laurence and Stella Bendann Fund, and contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout the Baltimore community
Object Number
1996.45.30
Like the 18th century master Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, Bonvin portrayed genre scenes and still lifes that feature household itemss, fruits and vegetables in intimate settings. Here, a simple arrangement of asparagus becomes the focus of the composition.
The son of a constable in the Parisian district of Vaugirard, Bonvin was largely self-taught. While working as a clerk for the local police, he began to paint still lifes, but it was not until 1840 that he would devote his efforts solely to his art, aligning himself with the realist movement promoted by Gustave Courbet and the writer Jules Champfleury.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1996; The Maryland Institute College of Art,
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
The Maryland Institute, Baltimore, "Exhibition of the George A. Lucas Art Collection", 1911.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "A Century of Baltimore Collecting, 1840-1940", June 6-September 1, 1941.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "The George A. Lucas Collection of the Maryland Institute", October 12-November 21, 1965.
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown, "Still Lifes", November 6-27, 1966.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Still Life and Flowers", circulated by the Maryland Arts Council, May-November 1967.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Nineteenth Century European Paintings", June 24-September 7, 1969.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Parallels and Precedents, The George A. Lucas Collection in Context", August 23-October 15, 1995.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Nature Revealed: Landscapes and Still Lifes from the George A. Lucas Collection", circulated to Government House, Annapolis, November 15, 2000-January 23, 2001.
Sona Johnston, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "A View Toward Paris: The Lucas Collection of 19th-Century French Art", October 1, 2006-December 31, 2006.
Sona Johnston, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "The Art of Still Life from The Baltimore Museum of Art", circulated to The Academy Art Museum, Easton, August 3-October 6, 2007; and Mitchell Gallery, St. John's College, Annapolis, August 25, 2010-October 10, 2010.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "A Century of Baltimore Collecting, 1840-1940", June 6-September 1, 1941.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "The George A. Lucas Collection of the Maryland Institute", October 12-November 21, 1965.
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown, "Still Lifes", November 6-27, 1966.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Still Life and Flowers", circulated by the Maryland Arts Council, May-November 1967.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Nineteenth Century European Paintings", June 24-September 7, 1969.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Parallels and Precedents, The George A. Lucas Collection in Context", August 23-October 15, 1995.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Nature Revealed: Landscapes and Still Lifes from the George A. Lucas Collection", circulated to Government House, Annapolis, November 15, 2000-January 23, 2001.
Sona Johnston, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "A View Toward Paris: The Lucas Collection of 19th-Century French Art", October 1, 2006-December 31, 2006.
Sona Johnston, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "The Art of Still Life from The Baltimore Museum of Art", circulated to The Academy Art Museum, Easton, August 3-October 6, 2007; and Mitchell Gallery, St. John's College, Annapolis, August 25, 2010-October 10, 2010.
"Exhibition of the George A. Lucas Art Collection," Baltimore: The Maryland Institute, 1911, cat. #11.
"A Century of Baltimore Collecting, 1840-1940," Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1941, p. 35.
"The George A. Lucas Collection of the Maryland Institute," Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art,1965, cat. #29.
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown, "Still Lifes," November 6 - 27, 1966.
"Still Life and Flowers," Maryland Arts Council, 1967, cat. #3.
Baltimore Museum of Art, "Nineteen Century European Paintings", June 24 - September 7, 1969
Baltimore Museum of Art, "Parallels and Precedents: Baltimore's George A. Lucas Collection in Context", August 23 - October 15, 1995.
Government House, "Nature Revealed: Landscapes and Still Lifes from the George A. Lucas Collection", November 15, 2000 - January 26, 2001.
Inscribed: FACE: LL, (ca. 3-1/2' from B), (in red-brown paint), 'F. Bonvin 1862'; VERSO, PAINTING: UC, (handwritten in ink), 'BONVIN-Francois/medaille 1849-51/Legion d'Honneur 1870/ne en 1817. mort en 1878'; BC, upside down, 'Succession G.A. Lucas...No 76'. VERSO, FRAME: UR, (in pencil) '13-4'; UR (ink/paint), '11-2'; UL, BMA label nailed; UL, adhesive label (typed) 'BMA cat./1965/#29'
