Jean-marie REIGNIER (1815–1886), A Bouquet Of Flowers On A Ledge

Oil on canvas. 59.5 x 48.5 cm. Signed lower left. 

A pupil of Augustin Thierriat, Jean-Marie Reignier ranks among the most esteemed Lyonnais painters of the 19th century in the art of still life. It was in floral representation that he achieved a mastery which earned him genuine renown, both in Lyon and in Paris. From the 1840s onward, he exhibited regularly at the Salon of Lyon and at the Paris Salon, where his floral compositions were noted by the critics.

The present painting perfectly illustrates the refinement and precision of his art. In an elegant decorated vase, Reignier has arranged a generous bouquet of white and pink roses, placed with natural harmony. Fully open blossoms mingle with still-closed buds, evoking the passage of time and the diversity of forms. At the base, splendid clusters of lilac spill over the table, offering a colorful counterpoint to the whiteness of the roses.

The precision of the drawing, the delicacy of the brushstrokes, and the satiny rendering of the petals all testify to the artist’s technical virtuosity. The foliage, handled with subtle shades of green, adds depth and contrast, while the neutral background enhances the brilliance of the bouquet. The vase, richly adorned with painted motifs, also reveals Reignier’s interest in textures and the play of light.

Through this sense of balance between rigor and spontaneity, Jean-Marie Reignier stands within the Lyonnais tradition inaugurated by Antoine Berjon and continued by contemporaries such as Antoine Vollon. His still lifes, imbued with poetry and a striking fidelity of observation, captivated collectors during his lifetime and remain highly sought after today.

Preserved in excellent condition, this painting exemplifies one of the most accomplished facets of 19th-century Lyonnais floral art. It bears witness to the singular place occupied by Jean-Marie Reignier, a discreet yet refined painter whose work pays homage to the fleeting beauty of nature with rare intensity.

His works, held notably in the Museums of Fine Arts of Lyon, Le Mans, and Grenoble, attest to his major role in 19th-century Lyonnais floral painting.