Barbizon School

The Barbizon School: Revolutionising Landscape Painting in 19th Century France

Key artists include:

Théodore Rousseau
Jean-François Millet
Charles-François Daubigny
Jules Dupré
Constant Troyon
Charles Jacque
Narcisse Virgilio Díaz
Pierre Emmanuel Damoye
Pierre Emmanuel Damoye
Charles Olivier de Penne
Henri Harpignies
Paul-Emmanuel Péraire
Gabriel-Hippolyte Lebas
Albert Charpin
Félix Ziem
François-Louis Français
Émile van Marcke

Where: France

When: 1830-1860

The Barbizon School was a pivotal art movement that emerged in France during the 1830s and 1840s, forever transforming the landscape of landscape painting. As a group of painters who gathered in the small village of Barbizon, near the Forest of Fontainebleau, these artists rebelled against the rigid conventions of academic art and sought to capture the natural world in a more authentic and emotive way.

Rejecting the Idealised Landscape

Prior to the Barbizon School, landscape painting in France was largely dominated by the Neoclassical and Romantic traditions, which favoured idealised, picturesque scenes over direct observation of nature. Painters like Claude Lorrain and Nicolas Poussin created landscapes that were meticulously composed, with harmonious proportions and a sense of timeless grandeur.

The Barbizon artists, however, rejected this approach, opting instead to paint the landscape as they saw it, with all its imperfections and fleeting qualities. They abandoned the classical formulas and instead focused on capturing the tonal qualities, colours, and loose brushwork of the natural world.

Plein-Air Painting and the Embrace of Realism: painting outside 'in the moment'

One of the defining characteristics of the Barbizon School was its embrace of plein-air painting, or painting outdoors directly from nature. Rather than working in the studio and relying on sketches or memory, the Barbizon artists would venture into the countryside, setting up their easels and painting the landscape as it unfolded before them.

This commitment to direct observation led the Barbizon painters to develop a more realistic and naturalistic style, eschewing the idealised visions of their predecessors. They sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, as well as the textures and details of the natural world. In doing so, they paved the way for the Impressionist movement that would soon follow.

The Leaders of the Barbizon School

The Barbizon School was led by several influential artists, each with their own distinct style and approach to landscape painting.

Théodore Rousseau

Considered the leader and organiser of the Barbizon group, Théodore Rousseau was a passionate naturalist who dedicated himself to capturing the ever-changing beauty of the Fontainebleau Forest. His paintings, such as "Mont Blanc Seen from La Faucille, Storm Effect," are characterised by their rich, expressive use of colour and their attention to the nuances of light and atmosphere.

Rousseau's technical innovations, particularly his use of green and yellow pigments, were highly influential and helped to push the boundaries of landscape painting. He was also known for his willingness to brave the elements, painting in all seasons to fully immerse himself in the natural world.

Jean-François Millet

While Rousseau was the driving force behind the Barbizon movement, Jean-François Millet was perhaps the group's most recognisable member. Millet's paintings, such as the iconic "The Gleaners," focused on the lives and labours of rural peasants, elevating the humble figures to the status of heroic subjects.

Millet's work was deeply influenced by his own experiences living and working in the Fontainebleau region, and his paintings often conveyed a sense of reverence for the natural world and the dignity of human toil. His innovative approach to subject matter, combined with his masterful use of light and shadow, made him a pivotal figure in the development of Realist painting.

Charles-François Daubigny

Another key member of the Barbizon School was Charles-François Daubigny, a specialist in landscapes featuring riverbanks and waterways. Daubigny's paintings, such as "The Marsh at Optevoz," are characterised by their loose, expressive brushwork and their focus on the ever-changing effects of light and water.

Daubigny's work was deeply influenced by the Dutch landscape painters of the 17th century, and he was known for his ability to capture the fleeting, atmospheric qualities of the natural world. His paintings were highly sought after during his lifetime and helped to cement the Barbizon School's reputation as a movement that was transforming the landscape genre.

The Influence of the Barbizon School

The impact of the Barbizon School cannot be overstated. By rejecting the rigid conventions of academic art and embracing a more naturalistic, plein-air approach to landscape painting, these artists paved the way for the Impressionist movement that would soon follow.

Many of the younger French artists who would go on to become Impressionist masters, such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Alfred Sisley, were deeply influenced by the Barbizon painters and their emphasis on capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere.

The Barbizon School also had a profound impact on the development of landscape painting in other parts of Europe and the United States. Artists in countries like Denmark, Russia, and England established their own artist colonies, inspired by the example of Barbizon, and produced some of the most iconic landscape paintings of the 19th century.

In America, the Barbizon style of landscape painting superseded the earlier Hudson River School, thanks in large part to the efforts of artists like George Inness, who was deeply influenced by the Barbizon painters' naturalistic approach.

Conclusion

The Barbizon School was a revolutionary movement that forever changed the landscape of landscape painting. By rejecting the rigid conventions of academic art and embracing a more naturalistic, plein-air approach, these artists paved the way for the Impressionist movement and left an indelible mark on the history of art.

Through the work of leaders like Théodore Rousseau, Jean-François Millet, and Charles-François Daubigny, the Barbizon School demonstrated the power of direct observation and the ability of landscape painting to convey the fleeting, atmospheric qualities of the natural world. Their influence can be seen in the work of countless artists, both in France and around the world, and their legacy continues to inspire and captivate art lovers to this day.

More on this kind of painting:

See related art groups like:

Page updated

Report abuse