Landscape with Three Tall Trees c. 1860

Auguste Allongé created Landscape with Three Tall Trees using black chalk on paper. Allongé came of age during the rise of landscape painting in France, a genre often intertwined with notions of national identity and romanticism. In this light-infused drawing, the figures in the boat seem dwarfed by the landscape, inviting reflections on humanity's relationship with nature. One can’t help but consider the socio-economic implications of leisure, reflecting who has the privilege to partake in such tranquil scenes, versus those who are working, and at what cost. Allongé’s choice of black chalk lends the scene a soft, almost dreamlike quality. Notice how the artist captures the subtleties of light and shadow on the water, creating depth and texture with simple strokes. The rough quality of the work lends an intimate immediacy to the landscape. The drawing invites us to contemplate our place within the natural world.