Cavaliers sous bois by Raoul Dufy features a lively scene of horsemen amidst a lush forest. The colors are bright and bold, typical of the Fauvist style, with greens, blues, and warm earth tones dominating the palette. The figures of the horsemen are rendered in a loose, expressive manner, creating a sense of movement and energy.

The setting is rich with foliage, suggesting a vibrant natural environment that enhances the overall dynamism of the composition. The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a medium that allows for the vivid color application seen in this work. Dufy's brushwork is loose and spontaneous, characteristic of his Fauvist approach, where color is used to convey emotion rather than realism. The dimensions of the painting are approximately 80 x 100 cm, making it a substantial piece that draws the viewer's attention.

The composition balances the figures and the surrounding landscape, creating a harmonious yet energetic scene. Raoul Dufy was a prominent figure in the Fauvism movement, known for his use of color and light. Cavaliers sous bois reflects his fascination with the interplay between nature and human activity. An interesting fact about this work is that it captures a moment of leisure and joy, typical of Dufy's themes, which often celebrate life and the beauty of the world around us.

This painting is housed in the Musée d'Orsay, a fitting location for such a vibrant representation of early 20th-century French art.