Jules Dupré 19th Century French Barbizon School Pastoral Oil Painting, Louvre, Smithsonian, Metropolitan Museum of Art

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A peaceful countryside scene attributed to Jules Dupré, a central figure of the Barbizon School and one of France’s most … Read more A peaceful countryside scene attributed to Jules Dupré, a central figure of the Barbizon School and one of France’s most admired 19th-century landscape painters. The composition captures a trio of cattle pausing beside a shaded woodland path, with soft afternoon light opening onto distant fields and a hazy sky — a setting that feels both intimate and expansive. His works often convey a deep emotional response to the countryside, influenced by his close association with artists such as Théodore Rousseau and Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot.

The Barbizon painters, active in the forest of Fontainebleau in the mid-1800s, were pioneers in rejecting academic convention and instead choosing to paint directly from nature. Rather than idealizing the landscape, they sought to capture it truthfully — the shifting light, drifting clouds, and quiet presence of animals. Dupré’s rich tonal palette and expressive brushwork reflect the movement’s shift toward a more emotional, modern vision of nature, paving the way for the Impressionists. His works are now held in the Louvre (hopefully), the Musée d'Orsay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other major collections.

The painting is presented in a beautifully carved period gilt frame with rich floral ornamentation that complements the work’s warmth and depth. Signed "Dupré" lower left. See less