An extensive landscape near Paris 1781

Hubert Robert painted this extensive landscape near Paris using oil on canvas. At first glance, this seems to be simply a beautiful landscape, but it speaks to the cultural obsession with country life that had taken hold in France. The way Robert idealizes the rural scene, it seems untouched by industrialization, ignoring the exploitation of the peasantry. His style, characterized by picturesque and romantic views, would have been very popular amongst wealthy Parisians seeking an escape in art from the political and economic anxiety of the pre-Revolutionary period. Robert’s work is typical of artists who were members of the Royal Academy. His aesthetic and subject matter reinforces the status quo and idealizes the values of the aristocracy. By researching the archives of the Royal Academy and studying the history of Paris, we can understand how this image embodies the political values of the era.