Artwork
Bouquet d'arbres au ruisseau (Stand of Trees on a River)
Bouquet d'arbres au ruisseau (Stand of Trees on a River) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Henri Harpignies. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Henri-Joseph Harpignies produced the etching titled Bouquet d'arbres au ruisseau in 1849.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:in unknown hand, across bottom in black: 1849 / L'harpigny
About this work
Overview
Henri-Joseph Harpignies produced the etching titled Bouquet d'arbres au ruisseau in 1849. Executed on oatmeal‑colored paper, the work belongs to the print medium and presents a compact study of a river scene framed by trees and underbrush.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a tranquil watercourse that winds through a dense grouping of trunks and foliage. The river appears shallow, its surface marked by faint ripples and occasional stones, suggesting a quiet, natural setting observed in situ.
Technique & Style
Created with a single sharp point, Harpignies incised the design directly onto the paper, producing a network of uneven, dark lines that resemble a rapid pencil sketch. The marks are intentionally rough, emphasizing the immediacy of the observation rather than a polished finish.
History & Provenance
The etching dates to the mid‑nineteenth century, a period when Harpignies was developing his landscape practice. It is catalogued as a study rather than a completed composition, reflecting the artist’s exploratory approach to capturing natural scenery.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Henri-Joseph Harpignies (French pronunciation:; June 28, 1819 – August 28, 1916) was a French landscape painter of the Barbizon school.
Selva (Woods)
Herd in a Stream
Oaks near a Pond
Landscape with a Winding Road
Fir Trees at the Water
Banks of the Marne (Bord de la Marne)
The Serpentine Road
Stream through an Ancient Forest
Le Petit Parc
Valley View, Man with a Donkey and a Dog
The Three Oaks- Bouquet d'arbres aux rochers (Stand of Trees with Rocks)