Artwork
Komponierte Landschaft mit Bauern und Esel
Komponierte Landschaft mit Bauern und Esel 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
Johann Balthasar Bullinger’s oil work, dated around 1763, presents a tranquil rural scene. The composition balances a modest group of figures and livestock in the foreground with a distant, gently rolling landscape that recedes toward a pale sky. Warm earth tones dominate, while the overall atmosphere conveys a sense of quiet repose.
Subject & Meaning
The foreground features several peasants, a seated group, and a rider on horseback approaching them, accompanied by a donkey. To the right, a rocky outcrop supports a clump of trees and shrubbery. The arrangement suggests everyday agrarian life, emphasizing the relationship between humans, animals, and the natural environment without overt narrative drama.
Technique & Style
Bullinger employs a visible brushwork that adds texture to the terrain and foliage. A restrained chiaroscuro model creates depth, with darker foreground elements contrasting against a lighter, yellow‑tinged sky. The palette of browns, greens, and muted yellows reinforces the warm, sunlit quality of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑18th century, the painting entered the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Bullinger, a Swiss painter known for landscapes and topographical studies, aligns with his broader output during the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Balthasar Bullinger (1713–1793) was an artist, born in Langnau am Albis.
