The artwork “Jas de Buffan, The Pool” was created by Paul Cézanne, a renowned artist, circa 1876. This oil on canvas reflects the Impressionist movement with which Cézanne had close affiliations. Measuring 18 1/8 by 22 1/8 inches (46.1 x 56.3 cm), the artwork falls into the genre of landscape and is currently housed in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The artwork presents a vibrant landscape scene characterized by the dappled light and color that typify Impressionist works. The composition is centered around a tranquil pool, which serves as a reflective surface mirroring the surroundings and creating a serene focal point. Flanking the pool are lush trees and bushes, executed with rapid, loose brushstrokes that evoke the sensation of a breezy, light-filled environment. To the left, a building adds architectural interest, its form partially obscured by the foliage, which integrates human-made structures with nature. The background stretches out into a softly-rendered vista, where additional vegetation and hints of a sky are visible. The overall effect of the artwork is one that captures the immediacy of a moment in nature, replete with the transient effects of light and atmosphere, true to the ideals of the Impressionist movement.
