Barbizon school

The Barbizon School was a group of French painters in the mid-19th century who focused on realistic landscapes and rural scenes. Named after the village of Barbizon near the Forest of Fontainebleau, these artists sought to capture the beauty of nature and everyday life, often painting outdoors (en plein air). Key figures included Jean-François Millet and Théodore Rousseau. They emphasized light, atmosphere, and a connection to nature, moving away from the idealized, academic styles of the time. Their work laid the groundwork for later movements such as Impressionism, influencing how artists approached landscape painting.