Bas-Bréau, Forest of Fontainebleau

1849-1852

Gustave Le Gray

Associated Names
Gustave Le Gray

Artist, French, 1820 - 1884

The image shows a woodland path with tall trees on both sides. The viewpoint is from the ground looking straight ahead along the narrowing path. The canopy of leaves overhead nearly obscures the high horizon line. The tree trunks cast shadows, and sunlight filters through the leaves onto the ground. The photograph lacks distinct brushstrokes giving it a painterly effect. The color palette is primarily sepia tones, with shades of deep browns and soft golds. In the distance, the path continues into the forest.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    salted paper print

  • Credit Line

    Patrons' Permanent Fund

  • Dimensions

    image/sheet: 25.6 × 37.2 cm (10 1/16 × 14 5/8 in.)
    mount: 28 × 40.1 cm (11 × 15 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1995.36.92

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

David and Mary Robinson, Sausalito, CA; NGA purchase, 1995.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1978

  • The Second Empire 1852-1870: Art in France under Napoleon III. Exh. cat. Philadelphia Museum of Art. Philadelphia, 1978: 413-414.

1987

  • Janis, Eugenia Parry. The Photography of Gustave Le Gray. Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago Press, 44-53, illus.fig.6.

Inscriptions

lower left stamped in black ink: Gustave Le Gray

Wikidata ID

Q64154686

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