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The Forest in Winter at Sunset

ca. 1846–67
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 802
Unrivaled for its scale and ambition, this monumental forest scene was begun early in Rousseau's career and remained unfinished at the time of his death, despite the urging of Millet and other artist friends to complete and exhibit it. By one account, Rousseau’s intention was to recreate the effect of a sunset he had seen in Bas-Bréau, a section of Fontainebleau forest, in December 1845. The tangled web of trees, denuded of foliage and suffused with deep color, conveys a sense of awe before nature that is amplified by the presence of two stooped peasants at the center.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Forest in Winter at Sunset
  • Artist: Théodore Rousseau (French, Paris 1812–1867 Barbizon)
  • Date: ca. 1846–67
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 64 x 102 3/8 in. (162.6 x 260 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of P. A. B. Widener, 1911
  • Object Number: 11.4
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

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Autumn Landscape, Théodore Rousseau French, Brown ink and orange wash over graphite on heavy buff wove paper
Autumn Landscape
Théodore Rousseau
1855–65
Farmyard in Normandy, Théodore Rousseau French, Graphite and gray wash
Farmyard in Normandy
Théodore Rousseau
ca. 1831
Wheatfields, Théodore Rousseau French, Watercolor, over black chalk
Wheatfields
Théodore Rousseau
1865
An Alleyway between Houses, Théodore Rousseau French, Pen and ink over graphite, squared in graphite
An Alleyway between Houses
Théodore Rousseau
1858
Landscape (A Grove of Trees Standing Near a River), Théodore Rousseau French, Graphite on beige wove paper
Landscape (A Grove of Trees Standing Near a River)
Théodore Rousseau
1828–67

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