The Cottage by the Roadside, Stormy Sky c. 1860

Jules Dupré created this small but powerful painting, "The Cottage by the Roadside, Stormy Sky," with oil on canvas. You can almost feel the gust of wind through the rough brushstrokes, and smell the rain on the humble cottage by the roadside. The subdued palette of browns, grays, and greens reflects the somber mood of the impending storm, with thick applications of paint adding texture and depth to the scene. It’s easy to miss, but there is a figure walking down the road. Dupré uses the traditional techniques of oil painting to capture a scene of everyday life, elevating a common rural scene to a subject worthy of artistic attention. This focus on the lives of ordinary people, rather than idealized or heroic subjects, aligns with the shift in art toward realism and naturalism in the 19th century. Through his skillful handling of materials and his focus on the humble aspects of the landscape, Dupré invites us to consider the beauty and dignity of the natural world.