Henri Martin began to spend his summers in the idyllic village of Labastide-du-Vert in 1900 when he acquired the magnificent seventeenth century house of ‘Marquayrol’ nestled in sixty acres of countryside. Returning to paint the villa’s gardens and views over the pastoral landscape, Martin was inspired to make a decisive change in his style. Having abandoned industrial Paris and the Symbolist movement that had dominated his early work, Martin now turned his attention to nature as his new 'model of beauty' and the unique quality of colour and light that confronted him daily in Labastide.

In these works he largely abandoned figurative subjects and concentrated on his natural surroundings. Martin’s depictions landscapes of Labastide-du-Vert are among his most atmospheric works. Clearly infatuated by his surroundings, Martin painted the village multiple times. This refined series of paintings aim to capture the tranquillity of life and beauty of the area.

Although Martin had shifted away from figurative painting during this period, his works are never pure landscapes as they always hold a strong human presence, as seen through the houses in this painting. The church, and the winding river leading up to it are the focal point, highlighting the harmony between man and nature. His divisionist technique creates a rich shimmering mosaic of colours across the canvas, the dappled brushwork reflecting the gentle movement of the water, and gentle breeze through the grass.