Explores the formation of modern French landscape art and the masters who shaped it, from Rousseau to Millet, through their visions of nature and struggle.
This edition surveys how prominent landscape painters and sculptors broke away from formal traditions. It traces Theodore Rousseau’s rise, his devotion to nature, and his enduring friendship with Millet, against a backdrop of institutional resistance and artistic courage. The text also highlights M. Baryé’s sculptural achievement, including the renowned Hippogriff and other works, and how these artists connected their inner vision to the world around them.
- See how artists balance truth, nature, and craft while facing official scrutiny.
- Learn how personal history and place—France, its forests, plains, and skies—shaped their art.
- Discover key works and moments, from Le Givre to the grand candelabra for a royal patron, and the evolution of sculpture and painting.
- Understand the bonds of fellow feeling among Rousseau, Millet, and their circle, forged in hardship and mutual support.
Ideal for readers of art history who want accessible context about 19th‑century French landscape painting, sculpture, and the artists who redefined beauty and nature.