In spring 

Jules Bastien-Lepage painted "In Spring" to capture a scene in a forest. Bastien-Lepage lived during a time of significant social change in France, marked by the rise of the middle class and evolving gender roles. In this artwork, the depiction of women and children enjoying leisure time in nature reflects the changing social norms of the period. The artist's choice to portray this scene in a soft, idyllic manner may be interpreted as both an idealized view of French society, and perhaps even a critique of social mores. The presence of classical figures evokes an emotional response, inviting viewers to contemplate their own relationships with nature and with each other. The artist seems to explore themes of innocence, beauty, and the passage of time through both the figures depicted, and his application of paint. Bastien-Lepage offers an emotional and sensory experience of nature's beauty and the nuances of human interaction.