Forest 1895

Henri Martin painted this oil on canvas called 'Forest'. The composition is dominated by vertical lines of tree trunks, contrasted by the horizontal shadows stretching across the forest floor. Notice how Martin uses small touches of paint, or dots of color, a technique called pointillism, to build up the image. The light seems to shimmer and the eye is drawn into a play of light and shadow. Martin was working at a time when artists were exploring new ways of seeing and representing the world. Pointillism, with its focus on optical mixing and scientific color theory, fits into this context. However, Martin uses this technique to create a poetic and evocative atmosphere. He explores the play between structure and feeling, order and chaos. Look again at how the formal elements of line, color, and texture work together. The forest is not just a scene, but a meditation on the way we see and feel. How does Martin invite you to look at nature and art in a new light?