Emile Friant, (1863-1932) <i>La Douleur</i>, 1898
This is just one of those paintings that really struck me. Friant was one of those who rejected the Nancienne school, and went on to take a very realist streak to his painting, almost like a photograph. See also <a href="http://www.hembrook.com/travel/france/orsay/photo14.html">Jules Bastian-Lepage, "Les foins" (1877)</a>