Study of a Tree in the Luxembourg Gardens 1773

Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes made this study of a tree in the Luxembourg Gardens with red chalk, probably in the 1770s. The drawing embodies an artistic shift that occurred in Europe as artists moved away from idealized landscapes and turned to direct observation of nature. This interest in observable nature can be linked to the scientific culture of the Enlightenment, which emphasized empirical observation and systematic categorization of the natural world. Valenciennes himself advocated for landscape painting to be considered a high art form and promoted plein air painting, or painting outdoors, as a way to capture the transient effects of light and atmosphere. The Luxembourg Gardens, where this study was made, were a popular site for artists and intellectuals, as it was close to the French Academy and the Louvre. The role of the historian is to understand the social and intellectual contexts in which art is produced, drawing on sources such as letters, diaries, and academic discourses, and by considering the institutions that shape artistic practice.