Le Bois de Boulogne

These public gardens on the western outskirts of Paris were, originally, a closed deer park of French kings, opened to the public under Louis XIV. In the 19th century the park was a favourite with fashionable Parisian society. Purkyně painted this picture during his stay in Paris in 1857. He worked no doubt on the spot, adding a promenading couple for an idyllic effect.