Pierre-Étienne-Théodore Rousseau, French 1812-1867- A landscape with travellers at camp; oil on panel, 9 x 20.9 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, UK. Note: The present work illustrates Rousseau’s leading role within the Barbizon School...

Pierre-Étienne-Théodore Rousseau,

French 1812-1867-

A landscape with travellers at camp;

oil on panel, 9 x 20.9 cm.

Provenance: Private Collection, UK.

Note: The present work illustrates Rousseau’s leading role within the Barbizon School, exhibiting the plein-air approach central to the movement’s practices. Here, the artist’s hand is undeniably sensed, with the unblended brushstrokes, touches of white, and the residual traces of the hairs of his brush. Its small scale emphasises his facture, bringing the viewer into a close and considered study of the piece. Despite the presence of figures, Rousseau creates an overall sense of a landscape largely undisturbed by human forces, contrasting the small scale of the figures against the vast and open expanse of the natural setting. For a comparable example of the artist’s work, and of similar dimensions, see Anon. sale, Sotheby’s, London, 10 December 2014, lot 11.

We are grateful to Michel Schulman for confirming the attribution to Theodore Rousseau. The painting will be included in the forthcoming supplement to his catalogue raisonné on the artist.
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