Impressionist art in Val d'Oise: a journey into the heart of history
The Val d'Oise, land of painters.
Certainly less known than Paris, Normandy, or the South of France as an artistic territory, the Val d'Oise remains a department where 19th-century artists found inspiration to develop their art.
Discover these places that hosted many artists and the most famous Impressionist artist: Vincent Van Gogh.
Discover these places that hosted many artists and the most famous Impressionist artist: Vincent Van Gogh.
An alternative to Barbizon
From the beginning of the 19th century, more and more artists felt the desire to leave their studios to capture the light, the wind in the trees, nature, water, and the sky.
During these first years of exploration around 1810, the Barbizon region captured the attention of these innovative artists.
While Gustave Courbet remained in his studio, some of his contemporaries had already taken the train to reproduce the smallest details of nature as accurately as possible. The representation of trees seemed to be the leitmotif that would bring these artists together in the Fontainebleau forest.
Led by the painter Camille Corot from 1822.
Today, the term "Barbizon School" is largely questioned by art historians. Indeed, it is difficult to identify clear artistic similarities among all these artists. Their presence in these places was due as much to the strong camaraderie among artists, reinforced by all the amenities the region offered, as to the ease of access provided by the direct train from Paris. But history will still remember that at that time, the art world took a turn that it would never question again. The discovery of nature, its movements, and the impression it creates.
During these first years of exploration around 1810, the Barbizon region captured the attention of these innovative artists.
While Gustave Courbet remained in his studio, some of his contemporaries had already taken the train to reproduce the smallest details of nature as accurately as possible. The representation of trees seemed to be the leitmotif that would bring these artists together in the Fontainebleau forest.
Led by the painter Camille Corot from 1822.
Today, the term "Barbizon School" is largely questioned by art historians. Indeed, it is difficult to identify clear artistic similarities among all these artists. Their presence in these places was due as much to the strong camaraderie among artists, reinforced by all the amenities the region offered, as to the ease of access provided by the direct train from Paris. But history will still remember that at that time, the art world took a turn that it would never question again. The discovery of nature, its movements, and the impression it creates.
And then around 1840, Jules Dupré, accustomed to excursions to Barbizon and whose reputation was already established, returned to paint in the Val d'Oise, his native region. His family had always lived in L'Isle-Adam. Jules Dupré returned to the region in search of immense, cloud-filled skies.
He brought Corot several times between L'Isle-Adam and Auvers-sur-Oise.
The banks of this tributary of the Seine then offered painters a new playground.
He brought Corot several times between L'Isle-Adam and Auvers-sur-Oise.
The banks of this tributary of the Seine then offered painters a new playground.
Narcisse de la Pena
The Wood Gatherer
1866
www.histoiredelart.net
In the footsteps of the painters
Traces of these artists can be found within a fairly wide perimeter, all with the banks of the Oise in common.
Stroll between Auvers-sur-Oise, L'Isle-Adam, and even Argenteuil where Monet owned a house.
In Auvers-sur-Oise, the memory of Vincent Van Gogh's last months is present on every street corner.
Stroll between Auvers-sur-Oise, L'Isle-Adam, and even Argenteuil where Monet owned a house.
In Auvers-sur-Oise, the memory of Vincent Van Gogh's last months is present on every street corner.
"I feel so peaceful here"
Quote from Vincent Van Gogh, about his stay in Auvers-sur-Oise in a letter to his brother Theo
The Val d'Oise, Impressionist territory.
Everyone knows Van Gogh's famous painting of the church of Auvers-sur-Oise. But before him, some male and female painters painted the wheat fields of the Oise valley, the riverside, and the inhabitants of this still very rural northern suburb of Paris.
The Val d'Oise saw artists flourish throughout the 19th century.
It positioned itself as an assiduous witness to the evolutions of Impressionism.
The Val d'Oise saw artists flourish throughout the 19th century.
It positioned itself as an assiduous witness to the evolutions of Impressionism.
Vincent Van Gogh
Church at Auvers-sur-Oise
1890
Musée d'Orsay
Léonides Bourges: the forgotten Impressionist painter
Léonide Bourges (1838-1909) settled in Auvers-sur-Oise in 1871 to join her artist friend Daubigny.
Initially, she was attracted to all subjects that could nourish her art.
Still life, genre scene, portrait.
To align with the artistic discoveries of her time and on the advice of Camille Corot, she turned to landscape painting.
To do this, she learned and quickly became very skilled in this field.
Léonide Bourges handled colors and the nuances specific to landscape painting with great precision and harmony.
And with great originality, she created small format paintings depicting views of Auvers-sur-Oise.
This collection of paintings is a true painted testimony of what Auvers-sur-Oise was like in the mid-19th century.
Today, Léonide Bourges is almost forgotten in art history textbooks. Erased, as often, by her male contemporaries.
But let yourself be captivated by this artist. You will undoubtedly be charmed by the delicacy and softness of her art.
Initially, she was attracted to all subjects that could nourish her art.
Still life, genre scene, portrait.
To align with the artistic discoveries of her time and on the advice of Camille Corot, she turned to landscape painting.
To do this, she learned and quickly became very skilled in this field.
Léonide Bourges handled colors and the nuances specific to landscape painting with great precision and harmony.
And with great originality, she created small format paintings depicting views of Auvers-sur-Oise.
This collection of paintings is a true painted testimony of what Auvers-sur-Oise was like in the mid-19th century.
Today, Léonide Bourges is almost forgotten in art history textbooks. Erased, as often, by her male contemporaries.
But let yourself be captivated by this artist. You will undoubtedly be charmed by the delicacy and softness of her art.
Léonide Bourges
Spring in Auvers
Musée Daubigny
Date ?
Charles François Daubigny: precursor of Impressionism
Like his contemporary Jules Dupré, Daubigny frequented the village of Barbizon very early on, where he developed a passion for landscape painting.
Daubigny associated with all the great artists of the time, including Gustave Courbet and Camille Corot, among others.
His interest in landscape painting was facilitated by the creation of paint in tubes around the 1840s.
This innovation allowed artists to definitively break free from studios and paint en plein air.
Daubigny settled in Auvers-sur-Oise around the 1860s; from that moment, he received and painted on his studio boat, Le Botin.
This floating studio allowed Daubigny to revolutionize the art of aquatic landscape, which he particularly cherished.
The most famous Impressionist, Vincent Van Gogh, mentioned Daubigny in his correspondence with his brother.
The celebrated Dutch artist admired his artistic modernity.
Daubigny associated with all the great artists of the time, including Gustave Courbet and Camille Corot, among others.
His interest in landscape painting was facilitated by the creation of paint in tubes around the 1840s.
This innovation allowed artists to definitively break free from studios and paint en plein air.
Daubigny settled in Auvers-sur-Oise around the 1860s; from that moment, he received and painted on his studio boat, Le Botin.
This floating studio allowed Daubigny to revolutionize the art of aquatic landscape, which he particularly cherished.
The most famous Impressionist, Vincent Van Gogh, mentioned Daubigny in his correspondence with his brother.
The celebrated Dutch artist admired his artistic modernity.
Le Botin
Daubigny's studio boat
Sketch
All these artists are witnesses to a period of artistic effervescence.
Artists left their studios; they wished to represent nature in all its splendor and complexity.
Camille Corot, Daubigny, Léonide Bourges, and many others explored and paved the way for world-renowned artists such as Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh.
Artists left their studios; they wished to represent nature in all its splendor and complexity.
Camille Corot, Daubigny, Léonide Bourges, and many others explored and paved the way for world-renowned artists such as Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh.
Impressionist stroll in the heart of Val d'Oise
Claude Monet's Impressionist House
in Argenteuil
Discover Claude Monet's other house where he lived from 1871 to 1878.
Pissarro Museum
in Pontoise
This museum pays tribute to one of the pioneers of Impressionism.
Nestled in the heights of the old town of Pontoise.
Daubigny Museum in Auvers-sur-Oise
Discover this museum and especially Le Botin, Daubigny's studio boat.
In the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh
in Auvers-sur-Oise
In Auvers-sur-Oise, immerse yourself in the last
months of Vincent Van Gogh's creative life and visit
- Dr. Gachet's House
- The Auberge Ravoux where the artist was a regular
- The Château d'Auvers
- The Auvers Cemetery where Vincent and Theo Van Gogh rest.
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