Der Geiz

Welti employed tempera, a medium that yields a matte surface and fine, layered brushwork, allowing subtle shifts in hue and a palpable sense of depth. The palette—dominated by blues, greens, and muted yellows—creates a soothing atmosphere while the precise rendering of light and shadow reflects post‑impressionist concerns with color modulation and emotional resonance.

Since its completion, the painting has remained in Switzerland, entering the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich where it is displayed among works that illustrate the turn‑of‑the‑century shift toward psychological symbolism. Its acquisition history is tied to the museum’s effort to represent national artists who explored dreamlike and nightmarish themes in the early twentieth century.