Initially, Theodore Rousseau intended to become a historical landscape artist, but soon he crossed over to nature studies, depicting the natural scenery of different corners of France. He started to work in Barbizon around 1830, and after a while the artist finally settled down there. His art is characterized by the tireless study of nature. Rousseau preferred to paint his favorite motifs on location – trees, wetlands, watering holes, and the changing cloudy sky. His studies have a wonderful cohesiveness and comprehensiveness. This small painting is an excellent example of compositional completeness. It took some time for Rousseau’s artwork to be officially recognized. Success came to him only after 1848, when most of his paintings were finally accepted into the Salon.