The voice of the forest: the exhibition that reconnects us with nature at the Petit Palais - photos

A maverick artist, Théodore Rousseau left his mark on the 19th-century art scene. Rejecting traditional academicism, a lover of nature and an ecologist before his time, the painter influenced many artists of his era. Discover Théodore Rousseau in a major exhibition at the Petit Palais, from March 5 to July 7, 2024.

La voix de la forêt brings together over a hundred works. The chronological itinerary recounts the painter's beginnings, his passion for nature, his commitment to forest preservation, his unique way of representing reality with his brushes...

The Petit Palais invites us to get to know this young painter, who quickly established himself as a free spirit. Uninterested in traditional, classical art, Rousseau chose to paint landscapes, refusing to relegate nature to a mere background. Rocks, trees, fields, marshes: every leaf, every tree moss, every play of light fascinates him. The painter studied these elements at length, working tirelessly to faithfully represent these landscapes. He produced numerous studies and drawings, earning the respect and admiration of photographers and Impressionist artists alike.

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In his wake, Théodore Rousseau drew many artists of his time: Jean-François Millet, Narcisse Diaz de la Peña, Charles Jacques, Eugène Cuvelier, Gustave Le Gray and Charles Bodmer followed in his footsteps, exploring the forests in search of their next subject.

The French painter was particularly fascinated by the forest of Fontainebleau, which he helped to protect by obtaining the creation of an unprecedented status: that of nature reserve, then called "artistic reserve".

Rousseau shared his passion for nature with his admirers, plunging the viewer into the heart of his works. In his paintings, the artist puts us at Man's level: our gaze does not overhang the scene, but is drawn to the center of the landscape.

In an age of industrialization, Théodore Rousseau focuses on nature. As travel became more democratic, the painter preferred to explore France and its varied landscapes. A visionary, he took a stand against the destruction of forests, fighting for the preservation of ecosystems. Modern in more ways than one, Rousseau set himself apart from his colleagues. Come and discover him at the Petit Palais !