A Hilly Landscape in Auvergne 1831

Here we have Theodore Rousseau’s, A Hilly Landscape in Auvergne. Rousseau made this oil painting in France, but its exact date is unknown. Rousseau, along with other landscape painters of the time, were part of a shift away from academic painting towards art that more closely captured the beauty of nature. During the 19th century, the centralized power of the French state affected art through institutions like the Salon, so the move toward naturalism can be seen as a progressive one. The Auvergne region is known for its rugged terrain, and by depicting this, Rousseau captured something distinctly French. But more than that, he challenged the established norms of what was considered beautiful, and therefore worthy of art. To understand this painting fully, we could consult exhibition records from the time or delve into contemporary art criticism to get a sense of how it was received. This would give us a better idea of its role within the artistic and social context of 19th-century France.