What is the Barbizon School of landscape painting?

The Barbizon School was a 19th-century French art movement named after the village of Barbizon near the Forest of Fontainebleau. Artists in this movement moved away from rigid neoclassicism toward tonal realism, plein air sketching, and the direct observation of rural landscape light and atmosphere.

What materials were traditionally used in 19th-century French landscape paintings?

19th-century French landscapes were typically rendered in oil paints on hand-stretched linen or cotton canvas, sometimes executed on wooden panels. Artists used natural earth pigments mixed with linseed oil, applying varnish layers to seal and protect the paint surface.

How can you identify authentic Barbizon School landscape paintings?

Authentic Barbizon works usually display fine natural craquelure across the paint surface, historic wooden stretchers or panel backings, and evidence of age such as surface oxidisation. The artistic style focuses on soft tonal gradations, loose brushwork, muted earth shades, and unidealised countryside views.

How do you style a 19th-century landscape oil painting in modern interiors?

A classic landscape painting can be styled above a fireplace mantelpiece, sideboard, or console table to establish a central focal point. Pair the painting with modern minimalist furniture to create an engaging visual contrast, or display it alongside period antiques for a cohesive traditional aesthetic.

How should an antique oil painting on canvas be cared for and preserved?

Position the painting away from direct sunlight, strong artificial lighting, and volatile humidity fluctuations to prevent cracking or fading. Dust the surface gently using a soft, dry camel-hair brush, and consult a professional fine art conservator for deep cleaning or varnish restoration.

for sale €11,525 $12,510

£9,850

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2009

View Dealers Stock Page

About Us

Private fine art dealer specialising in quality 17th 18th 19th & 20thc oil paintings shipping worldwide

Id #SA1167433

PDF

SAVE

Paul Desire Trouillebert Circle of French Barbizon School 19th Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas

Name: Paul Desire Trouillebert Circle of French Barbizon School 19th Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1167433
Price: 9850 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

Description

This is an exceptional fine quality original 19th Century French Barbizon School Oil on Canvas Landscape Painting depicting an expansive rural river setting with a lone figure standing before a large woodland whilst observing a nearby small group of paddling Swans.

This incredible painting is both dated (1862) and signed with wear around the signature which makes it difficult to read.

The distinct brushwork and layout of the work confirms this painting is attributable to Paul Désiré Trouillebert (1829-1900).

Trouillebert is attached to the Barbizon school because of his predilection for the landscape motif as well as for his style. He trained with the renowned portraitist Ernest Hébert (1817-1908) and in the studio of Charles-François Jalabert (1819-1901). Trouillebert was first noticed for his portraits and nudes: the portrait of Mademoiselle A. allowed him to be accepted at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1865, where he exhibited until 1884.

Trouillebert traveled extensively in France, notably in Brittany, the Loire and on the banks of the Seine. He was part of the movement of traditionalist plein air painters, as he stated in an interview with a journalist from L'Echo de Paris in 1890: "I only work from nature, I do not admit the study copied in the studio. "

The painting is well presented in a moulded gallery frame and is offered in very good order commensurate with age having fine faint craquelure within the white clouds.

BIOGRAPHY

Paul Desire Trouillebert ( 29. April 1831 Paris - 28. June 1900 Paris )

He attended the École des Beaux-arts, where he studied under Antoine Auguste Ernest Hébert and Charles Jalabert.

The young artist developed a passion for portraits and nude figure studies. He debuted at the Salon in Paris in 1865 with Portrait of Mademoiselle A.

Shortly thereafter, Trouillebert received a near-continuous flow of portrait commissions from important clients. He was also renowned for completing a remarkable set of historical works that depicted the building of the railways around Paris in the 1880s.

By the 1870s, Trouillebert, like many of his contemporaries, was inspired by the works of the Barbizon school. His oeuvre broadened to encompass the pastoral, riparian landscapes near and around Paris.

Trouillebert depicted figures embedded in the surrounding landscape, sunsets over fields, and riverbanks bathed in the atmospheric morning light.

He utilised a subtle, muted palette and often worked en Plein air and on the panel. Trouillebert drew inspiration from scenes of rural life as well as the rich folk traditions of small French towns.

Although Trouillebert was amply inspired by Corot’s themes, he added his distinctive atmosphere to each painting, especially in his scenes of fishermen on the riverbanks of France.

His works are on display at the Musée des Beaux-arts, Reims

Musée d’art histoire et archéologie, Evreux

Musée Crozatier and Musée des Beaux-arts, Dijon

Musée des Beaux-arts de Rouen

Musée des Beaux-arts de Dole the Musée Cantini, Marseilles

Musée des Beaux-arts et Musée Marey

State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Cleveland Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore.

CONDITION

Offered in lovely authentic condition as found and untouched.

FRAMED MEASUREMENTS

Height: 18.2 Inches | 46.2 cm

Width: 28.1 Inches | 71.3 cm

DELIVERY : UK £80 / EU £180 / USA £220

TELEPHONE : 07765 856171

Physical Dimensions

Height

46.2cm (18.19")

Width

71.3cm (28.07")

Depth

5cm (1.97")

Declaration

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art has dated this Barbizon Landscape Oil Painting to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1167433

Dealers Internal Reference

0925

Dealers Notes

Payments are accepted by Bank Transfer & by Debit / Credit Cards Via the BUY NOW Payment Link Tab shown below each items description.

PAY-PAL Account Holders are welcome. CHEQUES Drawn from UK banks.

Description

“

This incredible painting is both dated (1862) and signed with wear around the signature which makes it difficult to read.

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

fig 1. A nineteenth-century Barbizon school oil painting on canvas depicting slender trees along a riverbank with waterfowl and a figure under a pale blue sky. — fig 1. Paul Desire Trouillebert Circle of French Barbizon School 19th Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas

The distinct brushwork and layout of the work confirms this painting is attributable to Paul Désiré Trouillebert (1829-1900).

Trouillebert is attached to the Barbizon school because of his predilection for the landscape motif as well as for his style. He trained with the renowned portraitist Ernest Hébert (1817-1908) and in the studio of Charles-François Jalabert (1819-1901). Trouillebert was first noticed for his portraits and nudes: the portrait of Mademoiselle A. allowed him to be accepted at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1865, where he exhibited until 1884.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century Barbizon school oil painting on canvas depicting slender trees along a riverbank with waterfowl and a figure under a pale blue sky. — fig 2. Paul Desire Trouillebert Circle of French Barbizon School 19th Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas

Trouillebert traveled extensively in France, notably in Brittany, the Loire and on the banks of the Seine. He was part of the movement of traditionalist plein air painters, as he stated in an interview with a journalist from L'Echo de Paris in 1890: "I only work from nature, I do not admit the study copied in the studio. "

fig 3. A nineteenth-century Barbizon school oil painting on canvas depicting slender trees along a riverbank with waterfowl and a figure under a pale blue sky. — fig 3. Paul Desire Trouillebert Circle of French Barbizon School 19th Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas

The painting is well presented in a moulded gallery frame and is offered in very good order commensurate with age having fine faint craquelure within the white clouds.

BIOGRAPHY

Paul Desire Trouillebert ( 29. April 1831 Paris - 28. June 1900 Paris )

fig 4. A nineteenth-century Barbizon school oil painting on canvas depicting slender trees along a riverbank with waterfowl and a figure under a pale blue sky. — fig 4. Paul Desire Trouillebert Circle of French Barbizon School 19th Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas

He attended the École des Beaux-arts, where he studied under Antoine Auguste Ernest Hébert and Charles Jalabert.

The young artist developed a passion for portraits and nude figure studies. He debuted at the Salon in Paris in 1865 with Portrait of Mademoiselle A.

fig 5. A nineteenth-century Barbizon school oil painting on canvas depicting slender trees along a riverbank with waterfowl and a figure under a pale blue sky. — fig 5. Paul Desire Trouillebert Circle of French Barbizon School 19th Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas

Shortly thereafter, Trouillebert received a near-continuous flow of portrait commissions from important clients. He was also renowned for completing a remarkable set of historical works that depicted the building of the railways around Paris in the 1880s.

fig 6. A nineteenth-century Barbizon school oil painting on canvas depicting slender trees along a riverbank with waterfowl and a figure under a pale blue sky. — fig 6. Paul Desire Trouillebert Circle of French Barbizon School 19th Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas

By the 1870s, Trouillebert, like many of his contemporaries, was inspired by the works of the Barbizon school. His oeuvre broadened to encompass the pastoral, riparian landscapes near and around Paris.

fig 7. A nineteenth-century Barbizon school oil painting on canvas depicting slender trees along a riverbank with waterfowl and a figure under a pale blue sky. — fig 7. Paul Desire Trouillebert Circle of French Barbizon School 19th Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas

Trouillebert depicted figures embedded in the surrounding landscape, sunsets over fields, and riverbanks bathed in the atmospheric morning light.

He utilised a subtle, muted palette and often worked en Plein air and on the panel. Trouillebert drew inspiration from scenes of rural life as well as the rich folk traditions of small French towns.

fig 8. A nineteenth-century Barbizon school oil painting on canvas depicting slender trees along a riverbank with waterfowl and a figure under a pale blue sky. — fig 8. Paul Desire Trouillebert Circle of French Barbizon School 19th Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas

Although Trouillebert was amply inspired by Corot’s themes, he added his distinctive atmosphere to each painting, especially in his scenes of fishermen on the riverbanks of France.

His works are on display at the Musée des Beaux-arts, Reims