during trips to paris in the early 1850s, inness came under the influence of artists working in the barbizon school of france. barbizon landscapes were noted for their looser brushwork, darker palette, and emphasis on mood. inness quickly became the leading american exponent of barbizon-style painting, which he developed into a highly personal style. in 1854 his son george inness, jr., who also became a landscape painter of note, was born in paris.