The discovery of this compositional motif highlights the innovative talent of the landscape painter. A juxaposition is carefully constructed in this motif, with the ‘left tree’ angled in front of the ‘right tree’. Smaller branches stretch across to form the ‘arch’.
Paysanne Sous les arbres fruitiers introduces the motif. The Footbridge ©1867 re-works the angles of the archway and the placing of the figure. Re-used for Premier Jour de Printemps. Sous Bois shows how effectively the archway motif focuses attention on the area of the pathway at the entrance to the woods.
White blossom is built-up to create an overhanging canopy and dark branches reach over to the tree on the right.
Bridge Motif is seamlessly joined to the Archway Motif in the composition.
The main trunk of the left tree bends across to form the ‘arch’.
The inviting path into the woods is framed by the delicate construction of the ‘arch’.
see page: Nuance of Brushstroke. This comparison shows the link between Sous Bois and ‘The Footbridge’ painting.