Who painted Barbizon: Foret de Fontainbleau?

Barbizon: Foret de Fontainbleau was painted by Maurice Jacque in 1864.

Where can I see Barbizon: Foret de Fontainbleau?

Barbizon: Foret de Fontainbleau is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Barbizon: Foret de Fontainbleau?

Barbizon: Foret de Fontainbleau is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Barbizon: Foret de Fontainbleau?

Museum-quality prints of Barbizon: Foret de Fontainbleau are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Barbizon: Foret de Fontainbleau

Maurice Jacque , 1864

Barbizon: Foret de Fontainbleau is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Maurice Jacque. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Maurice Jacque’s print titled *Barbizon: Forêt de Fontainebleau* was produced in 1864. Executed as a lithograph combined with aquatint, the work presents a tranquil woodland scene, depicting a stand of trees and their surrounding foliage. The composition captures a moment of quiet in the forest, emphasizing the natural atmosphere of the Fontainebleau region.

Subject & Meaning

The image focuses on a slice of the Fontainebleau forest, a locale that attracted many 19th‑century artists seeking to render the subtle effects of light and shadow among trees. By isolating a calm, unpopulated section of the woods, Jacque invites contemplation of nature’s inherent serenity and the delicate interplay of foliage and sky.

Technique & Style

Jacque employed a hybrid process, first drawing the scene on a lithographic stone and then applying aquatint to introduce tonal gradations. The lithographic line work defines the trees’ outlines, while the aquatint creates a soft, velvety texture that suggests the density of leaves and the diffuse quality of light, lending the print a realistic yet atmospheric feel.

History & Provenance

Created during a period when French artists were increasingly turning to printmaking to disseminate landscape imagery, the work reflects the mid‑19th‑century fascination with the Barbizon school’s naturalism. Though specific ownership records are limited, the print has been catalogued in several collections of 19th‑century French prints, confirming its place within the era’s broader print culture.