Souvenir of Achéres 1903

Jean-Léon Gérôme painted this landscape, Souvenir of Achéres, most likely with oils. Look at how he’s layered colours and tones to create this autumnal scene; it feels almost meditative. There's a real attention to detail here, especially in the foreground. Gérôme uses these fine brushstrokes to build up the texture of the foliage. The way he captures the light playing across the ferns is just beautiful. Then, you have the trees in the background fading into a soft, hazy distance. I find the little deer family peering out from the undergrowth very touching. Gérôme’s choice of a muted palette really reinforces that sense of calm. I feel like the work of the Barbizon School could have been an influence here with its focus on naturalism and the everyday. Ultimately, it’s about capturing a moment, a feeling, and inviting us to pause and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.