Esquisse pour l'Hommage à Delacroix

1859–1881

Stays in London at Whistler's invitation

At Whistler's invitation Fantin-Latour stayed in London several times between 1859 and 1881 and found many admirers in England for his still lifes of flowers and fruit. Whistler introduced him to his brother-in-law Francis Seymour Haden and the engraver Edwin Edwards; it was in London that Fantin learned etching.

1860s

Still lifes bring recognition in England

In the 1860s Fantin-Latour cultivated the still life, a genre that would play a capital role in his career. His flowers and fruit found recognition in England, while in France they were said to be practically unknown during his lifetime; his English patrons and dealers Edwin and Ruth Edwards advised him to use simple vases and table tops to show off his gift for rendering texture and colour.

1861

Shows “La Liseuse” at the Salon of 1861

Two years after his rejection, Fantin-Latour took part in the Salon again in 1861 with La Liseuse (The Reader).

1862

A still life at the Royal Academy in London

In 1862 one of his still lifes was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London. It was the first of a long series: thereafter he showed several there almost every year, and they invariably occupied a prominent place in the exhibition.

1863

In both the Salon and the Salon des Refusés

In 1863 Fantin-Latour's works were shown simultaneously at the Paris Salon and the Salon des Refusés. He thus joined the revolt of the future Impressionists and became part of the Batignolles group around Édouard Manet, which Gustave Kahn called the link uniting the old and new painters of France.

July – October 1864

Third trip to England: still lifes and commercial success

During his third trip to England, from July to October 1864, Fantin-Latour again painted still lifes there and enjoyed commercial success.