Artwork
Chemin dans la lande
Chemin dans la lande is an oil painting by Félix Vallotton. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
“Chemin dans la lande,” executed in oil in 1917, presents a quiet countryside scene. The composition follows a meandering road that leads the eye from the near foreground toward a distant horizon, bordered by gentle hills and scattered trees beneath a muted gray sky. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a moment of stillness in an open landscape, where the winding path suggests movement through an otherwise tranquil environment. The sparse vegetation and soft lighting convey a sense of modest rural life, inviting contemplation of the relationship between human passage and the natural world.
Technique & Style
Vallotton employs broad, confident brushstrokes to render the fields and hills, creating texture that enhances the sense of depth. A restrained palette of greens, browns, and grays dominates, reinforcing the subdued atmosphere. The handling of paint reflects the artist’s characteristic emphasis on surface pattern while maintaining a realistic spatial arrangement.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the canvas has remained in the public domain, ultimately entering the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich. The museum’s acquisition places the work among other early‑twentieth‑century European paintings, allowing it to be viewed within a broader context of contemporary landscape art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Félix Édouard Vallotton (French: ; December 28, 1865 – December 29, 1925) was a Swiss and French painter and printmaker associated with the group of artists known as Les Nabis.
