An artwork on Galleree from The Art Institute of Chicago.
About the artwork
Landscape with Figures and BuildingsFrench
c. 1680/1700
France
77.5 × 106.7 cm (30 1/2 × 42 in.); Framed: 88.9 × 117.5 × 70.9 cm (35 × 46 1/4 × 27 7/8 in.)
Oil on canvas
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Cunningham
['17th Century']
['landscape', 'building', 'clouds', 'figures', 'hills', 'men', 'sky', 'trees']
['oil on canvas', 'french', 'oil paintings (visual works)', 'paint', 'painting', 'european painting']
['oil paint (paint)', 'canvas', 'paint', 'painting']
['oil painting', 'painting', 'painting (image making)', 'painting techniques']
In "Landscape with Figures and Buildings," the viewer is gently invited into a serene countryside. Towering trees gracefully frame the scene, creating a natural barrier that offers a sense of protection and tranquility. The gentle curves of the landscape guide the eye, leading us from the foreground where a figure strolls, perhaps in contemplation, to a distant village nestled against the horizon.
The sky, painted with soft, swirling clouds, evokes a calm atmosphere, hinting at a moment just before twilight. This quiet time of day often brings introspection, as shadows begin to stretch and the world feels a little slower. The buildings, though small and distant, add a human element to the vastness of nature, suggesting a community existing in harmony with its surroundings.
Each stroke of the brush captures the play of light and shadow, emphasizing the textures of the trees and the gentle undulation of the hills. This artwork embodies a balance between the natural and the constructed, inviting us to pause and appreciate the peaceful coexistence of both. With each detail, it tells a story of tranquility, reminding us of the beauty found in quiet moments within nature’s embrace.
About the artist
Welcome to the Art Institute of Chicago, home to a collection of art that spans centuries and the globe—and one of Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best” US attractions of 2023. We look forward to your visit and invite you to explore our many exhibitions and to join us for one of our free daily tours in-person.The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from The Institute's Open Access dataset under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 111 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL, USA 60603
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