Michel Pleau – Souvenir DOctobre, De Michel Pleau

The canvas presents a landscape dominated by autumnal hues and a palpable sense of enclosure. Here we observe a river winding its way through a dense forest, receding into the distance and creating a visual pathway for the eye. The composition is structured around this central waterway, which acts as both a focal point and a means of guiding perception deeper into the scene.
The artist employed an impasto technique, evident in the thick application of paint that gives texture to the foliage and surrounding terrain. This textural quality contributes significantly to the overall mood – one of ruggedness and natural density. The trees are not rendered with precise detail; instead, they appear as a collection of vertical strokes, suggesting a multitude of trunks and branches unified by their shared height and color palette.
The color scheme is predominantly warm: ochres, browns, and muted oranges dominate the scene, evoking the characteristic colors of autumn foliage. However, these warm tones are punctuated by cooler blues and greens along the rivers edge, creating visual contrast and a sense of depth. The sky, visible only as a band at the top of the canvas, is rendered in a pale yellow, almost blending with the surrounding landscape, which further emphasizes the feeling of being enveloped within nature.
A notable element is the absence of human presence or any indication of civilization. This omission reinforces the impression of solitude and immersion within an untouched wilderness. The painting seems to suggest a memory – a fleeting recollection of a specific place and time – hence the title’s implication of a souvenir.
Subtly, theres a feeling of melancholy conveyed through the muted colors and the enclosed composition. It is not a celebratory depiction of nature but rather an introspective one, hinting at a quiet contemplation of its power and transience. The river, while providing a sense of movement, also appears constrained by the surrounding forest, suggesting a subtle tension between freedom and limitation.