Artwork
Interior of a Wood at Pierrefitte
Interior of a Wood at Pierrefitte is an unspecified painting by the French Romanticist artist Robert Léopold Leprince. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work shows a quiet interior of a forest near Pierrefitte, emphasizing a stand of trees and dense foliage that create a secluded, natural space.
The work shows a quiet interior of a forest near Pierrefitte, emphasizing a stand of trees and dense foliage that create a secluded, natural space. Painted by Robert Léopold Leprince in 1822, the scene reflects the Romantic fascination with untouched woodland as a place of contemplation and spiritual renewal. By focusing on the tranquil forest interior, the painting can be read as a symbolic meditation on the harmony between humanity and the natural world, offering viewers an idealized retreat from the encroaching industrial landscape. The piece is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection.
Technique & Style
Interior of a Wood at Pierrefitte is a 19th‑century oil painting on canvas, measuring 28.3 cm in height and 40.6 cm in width. The composition presents a dense forest interior, emphasizing the play of light among trees and a sense of depth through layered foliage. Executed by Robert‑Léopold Leprince in 1822, the work was created in France before the artist’s relocation to the United States, where it entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Its formal qualities include a restrained palette, precise brushwork that delineates trunks and underbrush, and a compositional balance that guides the viewer’s eye through the recursive tree trunks.
History & Provenance
The painting Interior of a Wood at Pierrefitte was created by Robert Léopold Leprince in 1822, as indicated by its internal documentation and the work’s Wikidata entry, which both date it to that year.
The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. The Met’s record confirms the painting’s dimensions (28.3 cm in height and 40.6 cm in width) and its attribution to Leprince, aligning with the internal title and artist attribution.
The painting is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is recorded with accession number 1975.1.205.
It was included in the exhibition "Romanticism & Nature" held at the museum from May 27 to August 17, 1996.
Overview
Robert Léopold Leprince's painting, Interior of a Wood at Pierrefitte, created in 1822, captures a dense forest scene. This work depicts a specific woodland environment, focusing on the intricate details of trees and undergrowth. It is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
- Brook in the Woods near Oosterbeek
Eichenwald
Brook in the Forest
Twilight Setting in a Wood near Iselingen Manor, Zealand
Twilight Setting in a Wood near Iselingen Manor, Zealand
A Wood near Frederiksborg Castle
Forest with Rider and Dogs
Along the River Epte in Gasny
A Brook in Sæbygaard Wood, Vendsyssel, Jutland
Deciduous forest
Waldlandschaft
A Brook in Sæbygaard Wood, Vendsyssel, Jutland
