Artwork
Ruhepause
Ruhepause is an oil painting by the Realist artist Rudolf Koller. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Ruhepause is an 1872 oil painting by Swiss artist Rudolf Koller, associated with the Düsseldorf school and realism movement, now part of the Kunsthaus Zürich collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene lakeside scene where a boy, dressed in brown attire and hat, stands on the shore with a stick, guiding two brown cows and a black horse towards the water. The tranquil atmosphere conveys a sense of simplicity and calm.
Technique & Style
Koller employed chiaroscuro, contrasting light and dark to add depth and dimension to the composition, characteristic of his realist and classicist style, influenced by artists like Courbet and Corot.
History & Provenance
Created in 1872, the work is attributed to Koller's association with the Düsseldorf school. It is currently held in the collection of Kunsthaus Zürich.
Context
As Switzerland's foremost animal painter of his time, Koller's Ruhepause reflects his realism and attention to everyday, peaceful scenes, distinct within Swiss 19th-century art.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of Ruhepause are not highlighted, as a key work by Koller, it contributes to his reputation as a leading Swiss realist animal painter of the 19th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rudolf Koller (21 May 1828 – 5 January 1905) was a Swiss painter. He is associated with a realist and classicist style, and also with the essentially romantic Düsseldorf school of painting. Koller's style is similar to…
