Jules Ferdinand Médard (1855-1925), White Peonies And Butterfly Flight,1889

Oil on panel. Signed and dated 1889 lower right. 32 x 41 cm.

In this floral still life, Jules Ferdinand Médard arranges a rustic bouquet on a horizontal surface, dominated by three pale pink peonies resting like water lilies on a bed of green foliage. The composition follows a diagonal layout, rising from the lower left corner to the upper right, creating a subtle balance between floral masses and atmospheric voids. The large peony petals, rendered in thick, luminous brushstrokes, contrast with the delicate white daisies and wispy grass stems that recede into the background. At the top, a small red butterfly, highlighted with a few dabs of light, brings a lively counterpoint to the otherwise quiet scene. The background, softened in ochre and green tones, evokes an undergrowth or garden corner, lending the work an intimate and natural atmosphere.

The painting reveals the influence of Realism and Impressionism: Médard captures diffuse light and the fleeting impression of freshly gathered flowers. His restrained palette—shades of green, pink, and white—emphasizes the ephemeral delicacy of the blooms. Through his meticulous yet fluid technique, the artist celebrates the fleeting beauty of nature, offering a pictorial meditation on the passage of time and the fragility of plant life.

Born in Anzin, near Valenciennes, Jules Médard studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Lyon before joining the studio of Jean-Marie Reignier, a painter specialized in floral subjects.

He began exhibiting at the Paris Salon in 1878 and later opened a studio on the Quai Saint-Antoine (Lyon 2), where he welcomed many students. Médard played a key role in lightening and softening the flower painting tradition of the Lyon region, gradually moving away from its northern roots.