This delicate pen and ink study executed in the forest of Fontainebleau reflects Rousseau's commitment to plein air drawing, one of the basic principles of the Barbizon school. Rousseau first explored the forest at Fontainebleau at the beginning of his career in 1827-28 and returned to the subject often as in this late drawing.
Estate stamp at lower right, "TH R" (Lugt 2436).
Newhouse, Jill, former owner.
"The Figure and the Forest: 19th Century French Photographs and Drawings", exh. cat., organized by Jill Newhouse, Charles Isaacs Photographs, and Howard Greenberg Gallery, held at Kate Ganz, Ltd., New York, 2004, no. 38, repr.; Schulman (forthcoming supplement to Rousseau catalogue raisonne).