Artwork
Spiel ohne Gewinn
Spiel ohne Gewinn is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Rafael Ritz. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1892, *Spiel ohne Gewinn* is an oil painting by Swiss artist Rafael Ritz. The work belongs to the Impressionist tendency within the broader Düsseldorf School, and it is part of the permanent collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich. It presents a quiet moment in an alpine setting, rendered with a warm, earthy palette.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas depicts three young boys seated on a rocky ledge, each dressed in traditional Alpine attire and hats. One child holds a morsel of food while the others eat, suggesting a simple snack break. In the distance, mountains rise and a few goats wander, emphasizing the harmony between human activity and the surrounding landscape.
Technique & Style
Ritz employs oil paint to achieve soft, blended tones characteristic of Impressionist brushwork, yet the composition retains a clear, narrative focus typical of genre painting. The earthy colors and diffused light convey the atmosphere of a calm afternoon, while the handling of texture—rock, fabric, and fur—adds tactile realism.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has remained in Switzerland, entering the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich where it is displayed among works by contemporaries of the Düsseldorf School. The museum acquired the piece as part of its effort to represent late‑19th‑century Swiss genre painting.
Context
Rafael Ritz, sometimes referred to as Alpen‑Raphael or Walliser‑Raphael, built his reputation on scenes of everyday life and Alpine scenery. *Spiel ohne Gewinn* reflects his interest in portraying rural customs and the natural environment, aligning with the broader European fascination with regional identity during the late nineteenth century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Maria Joseph Franz Anton Raphael Ritz, nicknamed Alpen-Raphael or Walliser-Raphael (17 January 1829, in Brig, Canton of Valais – 11 April 1894, in Sion) was a Swiss genre and landscape painter, associated with the Düsseldorf School.
Bergisel
Guide and Tourists in the Tatra Mountains
Rock Refuge of Reverend Stolarczyk in the Tatra Mountains
Mountain landscape
Smugglers in the Tatra Mountains
Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
The Troll Peaks in Romsdalen: The Foot of Romsdalshorn to the Right
Tatra Mountain landscape
The Jungfrau, Switzerland
Surroundings of the Habsburg ruins
Vorderer Gosausee against Dachstein