THÉODORE ROUSSEAU (French 1812 - 1867). Vachère dans un paysage, circa 1840-1845. Oil on canvas on panel. 8-3/16 x 12-5/...

Description

THÉODORE ROUSSEAU (French 1812 - 1867)
Vachère dans un paysage, circa 1840-1845
Oil on canvas on panel
8-3/16 x 12-5/8 inches

PROVENANCE:
Private collection

EXHIBITED:
Salander-O'Reilly Galleries, New York, "Landscape Painting in France and Italy 1780-1860", January 19 - February 25, 2006 (not in catalogue).

A leading figure of the Barbizon School, Théodore Rousseau was known for his naturalism and devotion to plein air painting. Despite exhibiting several works at the Salon in the early 1830s, he was routinely rejected from 1836-41 and refused to enter submissions again until 1849. Turning his back to the Salon in the 1840s, Rousseau began producing modestly sized, saleable landscapes. During this time, he developed a new compositional scheme characterized by larger, more open skies and wide horizons. He would later return to the Salon and earn great success throughout the 1850s and 1860s.

This painting is a fine example of Rousseau's work during the 1840s. The expansive and cloudy sky suggests the possibility of changing weather, and patches of light illuminate the field and winding road behind the figures, creating a sense of pictorial depth. Like a halo, warm light filters through the tops of the trees and foliage in the left side of the painting. At lower right, the light color of the center cow and the stroke of red paint on the figure's hat draw attention to these pastoral figures, which are characteristic elements in many Barbizon landscapes.



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