Environs of Fontainebleau: Woodland and Cattle
The Met
Artist: Auguste-François Bonheur(French, Bordeaux 1824–1884 Bellevue)
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 104 1/2 x 157 1/4 in. (265.4 x 399.4 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of James Clinch Smith and his sisters, in memory of their mother, 1890
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A black and white painting of a herdsman and cattle in a sun-dappled forest clearing
Detailed Description
A black and white painting shows a clearing within a dense forest. In the foreground and midground, a herd of cattle is scattered, some standing and some lying down. Several cows are dark with white markings, while others are solid dark or lighter in tone. On the far left, a dark cow stands near a white and black spotted cow. In the center foreground, two cows lie down, one mostly white with dark spots and another darker. To the right, another cow lies down, and a dark cow stands facing right. A herdsman, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a hat, stands leaning against a large tree trunk on the right side of the image, holding a long staff. The clearing is surrounded by towering, mature trees with thick trunks and extensive canopies. Bright patches of light appear to filter through the leaves, creating a soft glow in the distance. The ground is uneven, with visible roots and patches of vegetation. In the background, more cattle are visible further into the clearing, moving towards the lighter area.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
