Artwork
Komponierte Waldlandschaft mit Jägern
Komponierte Waldlandschaft mit Jägern is an oil painting by Johann Balthasar Bullinger. It dates from 1763 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1763, this oil on canvas presents a tranquil woodland scene rendered by Swiss artist Johann Balthasar Bullinger. The composition is part of the permanent collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it is displayed among works of the eighteenth‑century Alpine school.
Subject & Meaning
The picture depicts a gently rolling forested landscape punctuated by a meandering river. A modest stone bridge spans the water, and a small group of riders on horseback approaches the crossing, suggesting a narrative of travel or pastoral leisure within a natural setting.
Technique & Style
Bullinger employs a muted palette of earth tones, using layered oil washes to model foliage and atmospheric clouds. The brushwork balances detailed rendering of trees and the bridge with broader, softer passages for sky and distant hills, reflecting the mid‑Baroque sensibility toward naturalistic detail and compositional harmony.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Kunsthaus Zürich’s holdings in the early twentieth century, though exact acquisition details remain sparse. Its attribution to Bullinger has been confirmed through stylistic comparison with other dated works from his mature period, solidifying its place in the museum’s Swiss painting collection.
Context
During the 1760s, Swiss painters often emphasized the picturesque qualities of their native terrain, merging topographical accuracy with idealized scenery. Bullinger’s landscape aligns with this trend, illustrating both the region’s physical character and the leisurely pursuits of its inhabitants, a common theme in contemporary visual culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Balthasar Bullinger (1713–1793) was an artist, born in Langnau am Albis.
