Under the Apple Trees, Near Gisors (Sous les pommiers, environs de Gisors) 

Maximilien Luce made this color lithograph, Under the Apple Trees, Near Gisors, in the late 19th or early 20th century. As a Neo-Impressionist, Luce was concerned with capturing fleeting moments and the effects of light, but he was also deeply involved in anarchist politics. The bucolic scene is deceptively simple. The figures of the women invite questions about their relationship and social standing. Are they simply enjoying a leisurely day, or is there a subtle commentary on the roles and expectations of women during this time? The woman standing seems to be observing the other sitting under the tree. Luce developed alternative narratives by painting working-class people and laborers. He stated: "I try to show them not as heroes but as human beings who struggle and suffer." With this in mind, contemplate how this seemingly tranquil image reflects the social realities and quiet struggles of its time. Can we sense an underlying commentary on the lives of ordinary women, their connections to nature, and their place in a changing society?