“Seascape, the Poplar” is a marina genre oil painting on canvas by Gustave Courbet, dating circa 1873. The artwork measures 50.5 by 61.3 centimeters and is part of the Realism art movement. Although created in the 19th century, this piece remains in a private collection to this day, preserving its legacy outside the public domain.
The artwork depicts a windswept seascape with a single poplar tree standing prominently in the foreground. The tree appears to withstand the force of the natural elements, with its foliage animated by the sea breeze. The waves crash energetically against the rocks, conveying the dynamic energy of the sea. Courbet has masterfully captured this energy with his vigorous and expressive brushstrokes, lending an almost tactile quality to the frothing spray of the waves. The palette is one of natural and subdued tones, with the tawny hue of the tree offering a warm contrast to the coolness of the sea and sky. This detailed and lifelike depiction is characteristic of the Realist movement, which sought to represent subjects truthfully without idealization.
