Stream in Auvergne near Royat 1830

Théodore Rousseau created this landscape painting titled, Stream in Auvergne near Royat, in France. During the 19th century, landscape paintings gained popularity and were displayed at the official Salon exhibitions of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. Looking at the work, we can see that the artist has a preference for naturalistic representation. It is a painting of a fast-flowing stream surrounded by lush vegetation. The rocks and trees are painted with great attention to detail. The scene may well be a social commentary on the rapid industrialization occurring in France at the time and the rising importance of urban life. The artists in the Barbizon school, including Rousseau, turned away from the city in favor of the natural world. This, of course, represents a deliberate choice on the part of the artist, and perhaps a protest against the growing prominence of the Academy, which had a significant impact on the art world. To gain a deeper understanding, you may want to look into Salon exhibition catalogues and critical reviews from this time. These will enable you to better understand the art market and the artistic debates that shaped the work.