Artwork
The Edge of the Forest at Les Monts-Girard, Fontainebleau
The Edge of the Forest at Les Monts-Girard, Fontainebleau is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Narcisse Virgilio Díaz. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left: N. DIAZ. 1868
About this work
Technique & Style
The medium and support are consistent with the artist's mature practice of working in oil paint across a standard canvas format.
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting measures 97.8 by 125.5 centimeters and is classified as a landscape work depicting trees at the edge of a forest. The medium and support are consistent with the artist's mature practice of working in oil paint across a standard canvas format. Classified simply as a painting within the National Gallery of Art collection, the work falls within the landscape genre and shows no reported condition issues in the available documentation. The handling and stylistic qualities of the brushwork are not detailed in the cited records.
History & Provenance
Narcisse Diaz de la Peña executed this oil on canvas landscape in 1868. The work's documented ownership history begins with James Staats Forbes (1823–1904) of London, after which it remained within a private English collection. The painting subsequently entered the inventory of Richard L. Feigen and Co. in New York.
On April 24, 2000, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., acquired the piece, where it currently resides.
Overview
Narcisse Diaz de la Peña's painting, "The Edge of the Forest at Les Monts-Girard, Fontainebleau," created in 1868, is an oil on canvas landscape. It captures a specific location within the renowned Fontainebleau forest, a frequent subject for artists of the period. The work exemplifies the artist's sustained interest in depicting natural environments, focusing on the interplay of light and form within wooded settings.
Subject & Meaning
This painting presents a detailed view of a forest edge, characterized by tall trees and dense foliage. The composition emphasizes the verticality of the trees, which dominate the foreground and middle ground, while other elements of the landscape recede. The depiction suggests an intimate encounter with nature, inviting contemplation of the forest's depth and texture.
Context
Narcisse Diaz de la Peña was a prominent figure among the Barbizon School painters, a group known for their commitment to direct observation of nature. His oeuvre frequently features scenes from the Fontainebleau forest, a location that offered diverse natural motifs. This particular work aligns with his broader artistic practice of exploring the varied moods and intricate details of forested landscapes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Narcisse Virgilio Díaz (1807–1876) was a French artist, born in Bordeaux.
