Narcisse Diaz De La Pena (1807-1876) Barbizon School Fontainebleau 19th

Superb oil on canvas, perfectly representative of the work of painter Narcisse Diaz de la Peña.
It depicts a wood gatherer in the middle of a lush autumnal forest (likely Fontainebleau), a subject the artist frequently painted.
The painter’s style, with its contrasts of light and shadow and a technique that could be described as post-impressionist, is remarkable.
The work is signed "N. Diaz" in the lower right corner.

The painting is in good condition, with a slight paint flake to note (see photos).
It was relined in the past.
Sold unframed.

Dimensions: 45 x 29 cm

Narcisse Díaz de la Peña (1807-1876)

Narcisse Díaz de la Peña was a 19th-century French painter celebrated for his landscapes and genre scenes. Born in Bordeaux to Spanish parents, he lost his father at a young age and his mother shortly thereafter. Adopted by a modest family, he grew up under difficult circumstances.

At the age of ten, Narcisse was bitten by a reptile, which led to the amputation of his leg—a handicap that marked his life. He initially worked as a porcelain painter in Sèvres, where he developed his artistic talent. However, it was upon joining the Barbizon School that he truly found his style.

Inspired by the wooded landscapes of the Fontainebleau forest and influenced by painters such as Théodore Rousseau, Diaz developed a luminous, richly colored style often animated by bucolic or fantastical scenes. He became a master of light effects, skillfully balancing shadow and clarity.

His success allowed him to exhibit regularly at the Paris Salon, where he won several medals. Toward the end of his life, his style evolved under the influence of the next generation of artists, including Claude Monet, a pioneer of Impressionism. Diaz passed away in 1876 in Menton.

Today, Narcisse Díaz de la Peña is recognized as an important figure in the Barbizon School, playing a key role in the transition toward modern currents in landscape painting. His works are held in prestigious museums such as the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Photos were taken in natural light.
Careful packaging.
Shipping costs to be covered by the buyer.
Feel free to contact me for additional information or photos.