A Stream in France c. 1880

Stanislas Lépine painted this oil on panel work, A Stream in France, capturing a tranquil scene. The river, with its gentle curves, dominates the composition, flanked by trees and lush vegetation. Notice the lone figure in a small boat, poling through the water. This figure echoes Charon, the ferryman of Greek myth, who guides souls across the river Styx to the underworld. Here, the fisherman is similarly poised between two worlds, the conscious and the unconscious. The river itself is a powerful symbol, one that has flowed through art and myth for millennia. Rivers represent the passage of time, the journey of life, and the border between worlds. This archetype, deeply embedded in our collective memory, evokes a sense of contemplation and transition. From ancient Egyptian art portraying the Nile as the source of life, to the romantic landscapes of the 19th century, the river's symbolism is continuously explored and redefined. Lépine contributes to this lineage, inviting us to reflect on our own journey through life.