Barbizon painters

The Barbizon painters were a group of 19th-century French artists who focused on realistic, natural landscapes and scenes of rural life. Active around the town of Barbizon near the Forest of Fontainebleau, they emphasized painting outdoors (en plein air) to capture the true colors and atmosphere of nature. Their work marked a shift away from traditional, idealized art toward more authentic and detailed depictions of the natural world. Influenced by naturalism and realism, their approach laid the groundwork for later movements like Impressionism. Notable artists include Théodore Rousseau and Jean-François Millet.