Pastures at Graves near Villerville (Normandy) (1875)

"Pastures at Graves near Villerville" is a serene and evocative landscape painting by the French artist Charles François Daubigny, a prominent name in the Barbizon School, known for its commitment to painting nature directly from life. Created in 1875, this artwork captures the natural essence of the Normandy countryside, a favored subject for Daubigny.The painting shows a sweeping view of a rich pastoral scene under a vast, dynamic sky. In the foreground, a single cow grazes quietly on the lush, green grass that dominates the landscape. The greenery, depicted with thick, expressive brush strokes, flows across the canvas, undulating with the gentle contours of the earth. These rolling hills lead the eye to a distant horizon where land meets the subdued tones of the overcast sky.Daubigny's mastery in the use of color and light is evident in how he captures the moody atmosphere of the day. The sky, a mixture of grays and blues, interspersed with hints of white, seems to echo the peaceful solitude of the pastoral ground below. The horizon is softly blurred, where the cloudy sky merges with the earth in harmonious haze, evoking a sense of endlessness and tranquility.This painting is not just a visual representation but an emotional rendering of nature, reflecting Daubigny’s deep appreciation for the calm and beauty of rural landscapes. It invites viewers to pause and reflect, providing a window into the tranquil scenes of 19th-century Normandy.