Artwork
Landscape
Landscape is a gouache painting by the Impressionist artist Albert Edelfelt. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1895, Landscape is a gouache painting by Albert Edelfelt, a prominent figure in Finnish art during the late nineteenth century. The work depicts a tranquil lakeside scene at sunset, with calm water mirroring an orange sky and silhouetted trees on the far shore. It is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a peaceful lake bathed in the warm glow of evening light. Thin trees line the right edge, their trunks rendered in simple strokes, while darker foliage recedes across the water’s surface. The painting conveys a quiet, contemplative atmosphere, emphasizing the interplay of light, reflection, and the subtle transition between day and night.
Technique & Style
Edelfelt employed gouache, applying the medium in loose, soft brushwork that resembles watercolor but with greater opacity. Flat areas of color dominate, allowing tonal contrasts of light and shadow to define form rather than detailed modeling. The approach reflects the influence of Impressionism, while retaining the naturalistic realism characteristic of his broader oeuvre.
History & Provenance
Executed while Finland was still the Grand Duchy under Russian rule, the painting belongs to the period often termed the Golden Age of Finnish Art. After its creation, the work entered the collection of the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of 19th‑century European painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albert Gustaf Aristides Edelfelt was a Finnish painter noted for his naturalistic style and Realist approach to art.
