Artwork
The Old Walnut Tree B
The Old Walnut Tree B is an oil painting by Rik Wouters. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1912, *The Old Walnut Tree B* is an oil painting by Belgian artist Rik Wouters. Executed during his mature period, the work belongs to his landscape series and is part of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s collection. It exemplifies Wouters’ commitment to vivid, emotive colour and a calm, intimate atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a solitary walnut tree positioned before a modest white façade. The tree’s spreading branches, rendered in a blend of green and yellow foliage, dominate the composition, while a red‑brick wall frames the lower edge. The juxtaposition of natural and built elements conveys a quiet, contemplative scene that invites viewers to linger on the interplay of light and shade.
Technique & Style
Wouters employs broad, visible brushstrokes that give the surface a tactile quality. His palette favors warm, saturated tones, a hallmark of his alignment with Fauvist principles shared by Matisse and Derain. The handling of colour creates depth, guiding the eye toward the tree, while the simplified forms and expressive hues emphasize mood over strict realism.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s holdings, where it remains on display. Produced during a prolific phase in which Wouters created roughly two hundred works, the piece reflects his ongoing exploration of landscape subjects within a modernist framework.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrik Emil (Rik) Wouters (21 August 1882 – 11 July 1916) was a Belgian painter, sculptor and draughtsman.
