Study of Trees in the Forest at Fontainebleau

Rousseau found spirituality in nature, seeing himself as its interpreter. He wrote to a friend, “I also hear the voices of the trees. The surprises of their movements, their variety of forms, and their singular attraction toward the light suddenly revealed to me the language of the forest. This entire world of flora lived as mutes whose signs I divined and whose passions I discovered.” A supporter of forest preservation, Rousseau advocated for a passive approach that was at odds with forestry methods of the day, such as culling dead growth and introducing new tree species.