The End of Autumn 

Theodore Rousseau's 'The End of Autumn' is an oil on canvas painting that captures a landscape at the turn of the season. Rousseau was a prominent figure in the Barbizon School in mid-19th century France, a group that advocated for painting en plein air, or outdoors, directly from nature. The Barbizon painters challenged the academic art of the time, which prioritized historical and mythological scenes composed in the studio. Instead, they sought to depict the French countryside as they saw it, without idealization. This focus on the everyday landscape was radical in its time, asserting the value of the natural world outside the confines of urban society. To understand this painting, one might look at the changing agricultural practices and the rise of environmental consciousness in 19th century France. Rousseau's work suggests a deep connection to the land and a subtle critique of industrialization. By studying the artistic manifestos and exhibition records of the time, we can see how Rousseau and his contemporaries reshaped the public's perception of nature.