Folding Fan – Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Peña, Flowers

Diaz was a member of the Barbizon School, the group of French landscape painters who were important precursors to the Impressionists. This flower piece, one of only a few by Diaz, is painted with his characteristic vigorous brushwork and interest in generalising individual forms into broad areas of colour. The bright pastel colours allude to Diaz’s early training as a porcelain decorator.

Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Peña
French 1807–76
Flowers c.1850–60 (detail)
oil on canvas
40.0 x 25.1 cm
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Bequest of Ellen F. Moseley (24.236)
© 2025 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Reproduced with permission. All Rights Reserved.