19th Century French

A disciple of Charles-François Daubigny (1817-1878), Herpin ought to be classified within the group of French artists immediately prior to Impressionism. His defence of landscape, then in decline, place him within the orbit of Naturalism and Realism. This return to Nature within art during the last third of the 19th century favoured a freedom of interpretation which fostered the development of Impressionism. Particularly relevant in his painting is his use of light as an agent helping to shape a minutely represented landscape.