Souvenir of Achéres 1903

Jean-Léon Gérôme painted “Souvenir of Achéres,” likely en plein air, with oils on canvas. I see the artist standing there, feeling the sun on his face and the quiet hum of the forest. I can imagine his hand moving quickly, capturing the light as it filters through the leaves, hitting the ferns on the ground. I love how the orange tree pops against the muted greens and browns, like a little burst of joy. And then there are the deer, so still, blending into the landscape, but they are clearly there! Gérôme painted with thin layers of paint here. Look at the sky and the trees, they’re built up with soft brushstrokes, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. It reminds me of the Barbizon school and their focus on naturalism. It’s as if Gérôme wanted to capture not just a scene, but a feeling, a memory of being in that place. You can almost feel the crispness of the air, the stillness of the woods. All these painters, each with their own way of seeing, responding to the world, and leaving something behind for the rest of us.