Heuvelachtig landschap in herfstkleuren 1877 - 1944

Ker Xavier Roussel made this pastel drawing of a hilly landscape with autumn colors sometime in his lifetime. It's full of sweeping marks and earthy tones that give the impression of fall. You can almost feel the cool air and smell the damp leaves. I imagine Roussel standing in the field, squinting at the scene before him, trying to capture the essence of the landscape with a few well-placed strokes. See how the pastel is applied in layers, building up the texture and depth of the foliage, and how the bare tree in the foreground seems to reach out to us, inviting us into the scene. The blue sky, with strokes of white, adds a touch of melancholy to the scene. Roussel was part of a group called Les Nabis, who were interested in the decorative and spiritual aspects of art. This drawing, with its simplified forms and muted colors, reflects that sensibility. It reminds us that artists are always in conversation with one another, borrowing ideas and techniques, and pushing the boundaries of what painting can be. Ultimately, it is up to us to find our own meaning and connect with the work in our own way.