Les Arbres 

"Les Arbres," or "The Trees," was made by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in France sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with watercolor and pastel. Here, Renoir departs from the representational naturalism of the French Academy, embracing instead the subjective experience of the landscape. The painting's loose, fluid brushstrokes and vibrant colors serve less to depict specific trees than to evoke the feeling of being immersed in nature. This shift toward subjective experience reflects broader cultural changes in Europe at the time. As traditional social structures broke down and modern life became increasingly fragmented, artists like Renoir sought to capture the fleeting, personal impressions of the world around them. One might analyze reviews from the period to assess whether this style was seen as progressive or conservative for its time. Art history helps us understand how this painting reflects not just the artist's individual vision, but also the social and intellectual currents of its time.