Rural Scene with Stone Building and Cross

1857

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Rural Scene with Stone Building and Cross is a 1857 by Charles-Fortunat-Paul-Casimir Perier, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Charles-Fortunat-Paul-Casimir Perier
When & what style?: 1857 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This black-and-white scene shows a quiet, overgrown path leading to a small stone building. A rough pile of rocks forms steps in front, and a simple wooden cross stands on top. Trees with thick trunks frame the scene, their branches casting shadows over the uneven ground. The artist focused on simple shapes and textures—rough stones, gnarled wood, and the worn building—to create a peaceful, almost forgotten corner. Look up Realism next to see how artists like this one painted everyday life without idealizing it.