French naturalist painter Julien Dupré devoted his artistic career to the depiction of French peasant women. He often rendered his subjects engaged in vigorous action, toiling against the backdrop of a breathtaking landscape. Dupré's truth to nature is constant throughout his body of work. His use of high color and technique, especially in terms of natural light, allow him to masterfully portray his human and animal subjects with a dynamic of power and grace few artists have ever been able to accomplish. His beautiful figures also pay tribute to his academic training while the attention he afforded to the scenery shows the influence of Impressionist theory.
Dupre received his academic training from renowned artists such as Isidore Pils, Henri Lehmann and Desire-Francois Laugée. He first exhibited at the Salon in 1876 and became a regular exhibitor until his death in 1910, winning numerous awards and recognitions throughout his tenure.
