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Théodore Rousseau (circle of)
'Forest at Fountainbleau' Original Oil Painting on Board from Barbizon School

ca. 1850

About the Item

This small painting of the Forest at Fontainebleau in France is an excellent example of the Barbizon School. The Barbizon School of artists were working in France roughly between 1820 and 1870 during a burst of renewed interest in landscape painting. This interest was prompted by the French Academy's introduction of the Prix de Rome in historical landscape painting as well as the exhibition of the paintings of John Constable in France. Thus, Parisian artists began to leave the city to find quintessential French landscapes, and no site was more popular than the 42,000 acres of the Forest of Fontainebleau. There are many artists of differing styles associated with this movement, including Camille Corot, Théodore Rousseau, and Jean Francois Millet. Even early photographers like Eugène Cuvelier can be counted among the movement. Gustav Courbet was a major influence on the Impressionists and is often associated with the Barbizon School and at one point this painting was attributed to him. The style of the landscape, however, might suggest an artist with closer ties to Rousseau with its more painterly approach to the boughs and leaves of the trees ad the feathery clouds in the sky. Attributed to the circle of Theodore Rousseau, "Forest at Fontainebleau (Tree Tops)" c. 1850 demonstrates the representation of the forest by a member of the Barbizon school. Rousseau was considered by many mid-nineteenth century art critics to be the leader of the new naturalistic school of French landscape painting. The artist put into practice technical innovations that contributed to the developing importance of plein air painting. The painter began visiting the area in 1827 and lived in the village of Barbizon from 1836. There, he was joined by his disciples Jules Dupre and Narcisse Diaz de la Pena. According to Anthea Callen, avant-garde painters "sought the authenticity that was associated with a direct and spontaneous painting technique, as opposed to the 'leche' (licked, highly polished) finish associated with official academic painting. Even when a painting might in fact be carefully premeditated, the concern of the avant-garde painter was for the appearance of immediacy." "Forest at Fontainebleau" exhibits rough, visible brushstrokes, conveying both the appearance of the treetops and the immediacy of observed effects such as the sky and sun. The perspective the painter employs is that of looking at the treetops at their level. which shows the forest as lush and unspoiled. Callen writes: "the oil study," of which "Forest at Fontainebleau" is an example, "required speed of execution to capture ephemeral effects that signified 'truth.' Just as individual authenticity (truth and sincerity) came to be more and more highly valued during the nineteenth century, so too the oil-painted etude (study) gained in prestige." Callen points out the "landscape painting in general and the plein air oil study in particular were key drivers of change in artistic practice in the nineteenth century, which culminated in Impressionism and Post Impressionism." 11.88 x 19 inches, painting 19.63 x 16.63 x 2.75 inches, frame not signed hand-lettered plaque with title and attribution to Courbet, bottom center Housed in a gold finish wood frame with composition decorations
  • Creator:
    Théodore Rousseau (circle of) (1812 - 1867)
  • Creation Year:
    ca. 1850
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19.63 in (49.87 cm)Width: 16.63 in (42.25 cm)Depth: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)
  • Medium:
    Oil,Board
  • Movement & Style:
    Barbizon School
  • Period:
    Mid-19th Century
  • Framing:
    Frame Included
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
    Painting in overall excellent condition; some losses to gold finish of frame surface.
  • Gallery Location:
    Milwaukee, WI
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 12045c1stDibs: LU605312821302
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