An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
The Pond1837
Artist: Jules Dupré
French, Nantes, Pays de la Loire 1811–L’Isle-Adam, Ile-de-France 1889
landscape with pond at LR, cows at center
20 × 28 in. (50.8 × 71.12 cm) (sight)
28 1/4 × 36 3/4 in. (71.76 × 93.35 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
France
19th century
Gift of Whitney and Betty MacMillan
In the heart of the Limousin region of France sprawls an ideal landscape, a true painter's dream. Imagine a patchwork of vibrant greens, where a lush pasture breathes life. Gentle hills roll like soft waves, their curves cradling a tranquil pond that mirrors the calm sky above. Low clouds drift lazily, almost whispering secrets to the tranquil scene, creating an ethereal hush that invites you to pause and reflect.
This serene oasis, rich with the hum of nature, is vibrant yet simple, untouched by the pressing hand of humanity except for one gentle reminder: a path, worn but welcoming, that meanders alongside the pasture. It is a passageway, nodding to the lives that have journeyed through this enchanting landscape, yet it does little to disrupt the harmony that breathes within it.
Here, the pasture is the domain of sturdy, muscular cows, the proud residents of this idyllic space. They embody the spirit of Limousin, their presence weaving effortlessly into the very fabric of the landscape. Each cow, a living testament to the land, stands as a silent guardian of its beauty.
In the midst of this tranquil setting, we find the brush of Jules Dupré, a prominent French landscape painter who embraced the essence of such vistas. His artistry was nurtured by the influences of his peers, most notably Théodore Rousseau. Together, they drew inspiration from the luminous works of 17th-century Dutch landscape painters, merging those influences with the unique charm of their homeland.
Dupré’s dedication to capturing these verdant landscapes transports viewers beyond mere representation, inviting them to feel the peace and beauty of nature. His paintings become windows into the soul of Limousin, celebrating a serene dance between earth and sky, between cow and pasture, forever echoing nature's tranquil symphony. Through his eyes, we are reminded that some places, like this perfect pasture, thrive best when left untouched—a true sanctuary in the rush of the world.
About the artist
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