October (1878)

Jules Bastien-Lepage: October

Many artists developed a particular interest in rural life and themes, including subjects that highlighted regional customs and industries that were slowly disappearing. In his work, Bastien-Lepage blended a contemporary approach to painting such as October, 1878 (everyday subject matter and landscapes painted en plein air in an Impressionist style) with aspects of traditional academic art practice (figures painted with clear, firm outline and strongly modeled form). This blending of styles treated everyday subject matter, such as the work of the potato harvesters in October, with the dignity and nobility traditionally reserved for “serious” history painting. [All Things Victorian]