Avallon
Henri Harpignies (1819-1916) was a French landscape painter of the Barbizon school. He achieved considerable renown, winning medals at several Paris Salons (exhibitions). Harpignies travelled widely, but he is mainly associated with the landscapes of central France. It is in this region that the medieval town of Avallon is found, which, as the artist's inscription tells us, provided the subject for this picture. The luminosity and the dynamic handling of paint are typical of Harpignies' work, and the influence of Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot and the Barbizon School are very evident.