The Crows

Emile Adélard Breton (1831 - 1902), 1870

oil on canvas, 56 cm x 86.5 cm
The Mesdag Collection, The Hague

Emile Breton painted many winter scenes. He most likely made this landscape in Courrières in Northern France, where he lived his entire life. He depicted a flock of crows converging from all directions on a dung cart. The birds descend like a whirlwind, introducing movement into the otherwise tranquil, snow-covered expanse.

Mesdag was fascinated by Breton’s work, which he knew from exhibitions in Paris. As a beginning artist, he himself made a few winter landscapes. Mesdag purchased two paintings by Breton and hung The Crows in his house at the Laan van Meerdervoort in The Hague.

Object number

hwm0057

Credits

The Mesdag Collection, The Hague

Dimensions

56cm x 86.5cm, 88.5cm x 118cm, 14cm