The artwork entitled “The Black Lutschina” was created by Ferdinand Hodler in 1905. It is an oil on canvas landscape painting, with dimensions of 101 by 90 centimeters, and falls within the Realism art movement.
The artwork portrays a vibrant and naturalistic landscape scene, likely using the Lütschine river in Switzerland as its inspiration. One can observe a lively, rocky riverbed cutting through the foreground amidst an abundance of rounded stones and boulders. The water, depicted with brisk white and blue brushstrokes, creates a sense of movement and liveliness as it flows over the rocks.
Flanking the river are lush green trees and bushes, rendered with vigorous dabs and strokes of paint that suggest the texture of foliage. Above, the sky is a clear blue with scattered fluffy white clouds, suggesting a bright, sunny day. In the background, majestic mountain peaks rise, sketched with sharp lines to imply their ruggedness against the softer forms of the sky and vegetation. The palette is abundant with natural greens, blues, and earth tones, conveying the sumptuousness of outdoor scenery and reflecting the Realism movement’s focus on the authentic depiction of nature. Hodler’s treatment of light and shadow enhances the three-dimensionality of the setting, inviting the viewer to appreciate the serene beauty of the landscape.
