Viehherde am See

Koller employed oil on canvas with a realist foundation, integrating plein‑air observation to capture light and atmosphere. The brushwork balances detailed animal anatomy with looser treatment of the surrounding scenery, aligning the piece with Impressionist tendencies while retaining a classicist compositional order.

After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing Swiss art of the late nineteenth century, particularly works that document the nation’s agrarian heritage.

Koller’s approach was shaped by the Düsseldorf school and the influence of French painters such as Gustave Courbet and Jean‑Baptiste‑Camille Corot. These connections placed him within a broader European realist tradition, while his outdoor studies linked him to the emerging Impressionist movement of the period.