Artwork

The Pool by the Hills

The Pool by the Hills, by Unknown, 1651
The Pool by the Hills, by Unknown, 1651

The Pool by the Hills is a photography by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1651 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1651 by the artist identified as 30435_person, this landscape image titled “The Pool by the Hills” is part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography. The composition centers on a tranquil body of water set within rolling hills, framed by a sky mottled with clouds. The work invites quiet contemplation through its balanced arrangement of natural elements.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents a still pool nestled among gently sloping hills, flanked by two prominent trees—one on each side of the canvas. Beyond the trees, a distant mountain range extends across the horizon, suggesting a broader, untouched wilderness. The juxtaposition of calm water and expansive terrain conveys a sense of harmony between land and sky.

Technique & Style

The artist renders the foliage with meticulous attention to the texture of branches and leaves, employing a careful gradation of light and shadow. This chiaroscuro treatment creates depth, allowing the foreground trees to recede into the background hills. The subtle modulation of tones across the cloudy sky enhances the atmospheric quality of the piece.

History & Provenance

Since its completion in the mid‑17th century, the work has remained within institutional holdings, ultimately entering the Museum of Ethnography’s collection. The museum’s records list the piece under its original title, preserving its attribution to 30435_person and maintaining its display as part of the museum’s broader representation of landscape imagery.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known