There are many places our mind can wander into, but snapping out of it and reading our senses when observing nature becomes quintessential, according to Burroughs. When applying this “seeing” approach to Théodore Rousseau's "Under the Birches, Evening," a representative work of the mid-19th-century Barbizon School, one can truly appreciate nature through the lenses of art. The painting showcases a serene woodland scene bathed in the soft glow of evening light. Winter is quickly approaching, the same way darkness is soon to consume the landscape in the painting. Moreover, Rousseau's attention to detail and nuanced use of color contribute to the emotive resonance of the landscape, aligning with the Romantic emphasis on the sublime in nature.

How, then, does John Burroughs approach nature in his essay "The Art of Seeing Things?" Burroughs employs keen observation to explore the depths of natural phenomena. From the singing of the birds to the more minute beings, like bees, he stipulates viewing nature through the lenses of love rather than science to get to the ultimate truth. His prose serves as a contemplative lens through which the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Burroughs' focus on the minutiae of the natural world aligns with the transcendentalist tradition, emphasizing a spiritual connection with nature and the importance of mindful perception.

While Rousseau's painting immerses the viewer in a visual representation of the sublime, the descent into a cold and dark winter, with natural vibrancy serving as one last hurrah, Burroughs' essay invites spiritual engagement with the subtleties of nature. The comparison underscores the varied ways in which artists and writers convey their respective philosophies and relationships with the natural world.