Highland Landscape 1908 - 1912

This Highland Landscape, likely made with oil paint by Leon Wyczółkowski, is a lesson in understatement. The colours are muted, almost desaturated, which gives the whole scene a feeling of quiet contemplation. Looking closely, you can see how the paint is applied in loose, gestural strokes, particularly in the foreground field. It’s not about perfect representation. Instead, Wyczółkowski seems more interested in capturing the feeling of the place, the texture of the land, and the light on the hills. Check out that row of dark marks across the middle ground, like someone dragged a wide brush through wet paint. They might be shadows, or maybe just a way to break up the space, but they add an element of mystery to the scene. Wyczółkowski reminds me of Corot who was similarly interested in humble landscapes. In the end, it’s the simplicity and honesty of paintings like this that really get to me, a reminder that art doesn’t always need to shout to be heard.