Landscape c. 1835

Theodore Rousseau's "Landscape" (c. 1835), a painting currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, depicts a serene, yet subtly dramatic, natural scene. Rousseau, a prominent figure in the Barbizon school, captures the essence of the French countryside with meticulous detail, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow. The composition, dominated by rolling hills and a small stream winding through the valley, draws the viewer's eye towards the distant horizon, where a sliver of the sea peeks through. This intimate yet expansive landscape exemplifies Rousseau's mastery of depicting the tranquility and sublime beauty of nature.