Artwork
Park in the Vicinity of Paris

Park in the Vicinity of Paris is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Charles Rochussen. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The visual narrative is anchored by the depiction of a tree, which serves as the primary identifiable element of the landscape.
Created in 1848 by Charles Rochussen, this oil painting on panel presents a genre scene set within a park near Paris. The visual narrative is anchored by the depiction of a tree, which serves as the primary identifiable element of the landscape. Classified as genre art, the work focuses on capturing a specific moment or atmosphere within this public or semi-public space rather than illustrating a complex allegorical program or religious symbolism.
The composition emphasizes the natural setting and the everyday character of the vicinity, aligning with the artist's broader output of scenic and figurative subjects from this period.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, the work measures 42 cm in height and 60 cm in width. The handling emphasizes fine, descriptive detail in foliage and figures, aligning with mid-19th-century Dutch genre practice. Stylistically, the composition balances naturalistic observation with anecdotal charm, using a subdued palette to evoke a tranquil suburban park setting near Paris. Brushwork remains controlled, supporting the genre’s focus on everyday life rather than painterly bravura.
History & Provenance
The work was painted by Charles Rochissen in 1848, as indicated by the dated inscription on the panel. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum after being acquired from Daniel Franken, whose ownership is documented in the museum’s records. The painting has remained in the Rijksmuseum’s holdings since that acquisition, where it is currently located.
Charles Rochussen's 1848 painting Park in the Vicinity of Paris is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work, executed in oil on panel, measures 42 cm in height and 60 cm in width. While the museum currently houses the piece, historical records indicate it was previously owned by Daniel Franken.
The provided sources do not contain specific details regarding the work's accession number, inventory designation, or a history of public exhibitions.
Context
Charles Rochussen's 1848 oil painting Park in the Vicinity of Paris exemplifies genre scene conventions through its depiction of tree motifs within a naturalistic landscape, reflecting broader Romantic-era compositional strategies. The work's provenance with Daniel Franken and presence in the Rijksmuseum collection underscore its significance within 19th-century Dutch artistic circles, though scholarly analysis remains limited to cataloging rather than interpretive critique. Its formal qualities and historical context continue to inform studies of transitional periods in European landscape painting.
Overview
Created in 1848, Park in the Vicinity of Paris is an oil painting by Dutch artist Charles Rochussen. Executed in the manner of the Barbizon School, the work presents a leisurely park scene on the outskirts of Paris, populated by figures in contemporary dress and a few accompanying dogs, set against a backdrop of trees, statues and a gentle hill.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Rochussen (1 August 1814 in Kralingen – 22 September 1894 in Rotterdam) was a Dutch illustrator and printmaker.


















