This landscape by Auguste Herbin depicts poplars reflected in water, rendered with simplified forms and a restrained palette. The painting captures a serene moment in nature, prefiguring Herbin's later abstract style.

Auguste Herbin (1882-1960) was a French painter known for his contributions to Cubism and later, abstract art. Although he experimented with various styles throughout his career, including Fauvism, his work is characterised by a strong sense of form and colour. He was a founding member of the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles, which promoted abstract art in the post-war period. His theories on colour and form influenced many artists. He developed a system of correspondences between letters of the alphabet, musical notes, and colours. This system underpinned much of his later work. 'Landscape with Poplars' presents a scene of trees reflected in water, with buildings visible in the background. The artist uses a simplified, almost geometric approach to the forms, prefiguring his later abstract style. The colour palette is restrained, with browns, greens, and yellows dominating the composition. The reflections in the water are rendered with short, broken brushstrokes, creating a sense of movement and light. The overall effect is one of serenity and contemplation, capturing a fleeting moment in nature.