A simplified landscape by French artist Auguste Herbin, 'Church at Orgeruse' uses bold blocks of colour to depict a rural scene with a church in the distance.

Auguste Herbin (1882-1960) was a French painter known for his contributions to Cubism and later, abstract art. Although he experimented with Fauvism early in his career, he soon moved toward more structured forms. His work evolved through various styles, eventually leading to a distinctive geometric abstraction. He was a founding member of the group Abstraction-Création in 1931, advocating for non-figurative art. His theories on the relationship between colour and form were influential. He is considered an important figure in the development of 20th-century abstract painting. 'Church at Orgeruse' depicts a rural scene with a church steeple rising above the village buildings in the distance. A path leads the viewer's eye toward the church, flanked by green fields and trees. The composition is simplified, with forms rendered in bold, flat planes of colour. The palette is muted, with greens, browns, and greys dominating the scene. The outlines of the trees and buildings are emphasised with dark contours, giving the painting a graphic quality. The sky is rendered in soft, diffused tones, suggesting an overcast day.