Cattle in Sunshine. Heinrich von Zugel, 1850-
Zugel shows a brilliance in his work which suggests paintings by the American Sargent. One might hunt long for a truer animal study, or for a more beautiful rendering of sunlight and beguiling purple shadow.
Summer Evening at the River. Gustav Adolf Fjaestad, 1870-
Dalecarlian Peasant. Helmer Mas-Olle, 1884-
These two paintings are the foundation of a collection belonging to the Scandinavian Art Society, and deposited in the Institute. The figure of the old peasant is instinct with character. The complex planes of the weather-beaten face and gnarled hands are established with the minimum of means. The painting by Fjaestad owes its fascination mainly to the almost Chinese sense of style and pattern. The movement of the water's swirling lines is interesting, well schemed, and perfectly balanced.
Mother and Children. Josef Israels, 1824-1911
The art of Israels, with its straightforward and sympathetic portrayal of the emotions of the common folk, makes a direct and wholesome appeal to all. Its democratic, ethical purport would have satisfied the demands of Tolstoy. Without theatricality, or morbid invention of horrible and ironic situations, he interprets the lives of poor people. The types he chooses are strong and simple. Sometimes he tenderly portrays young men and girls in the fields, or happy peasant mothers with their children, as in our painting; and when poverty or tragedy are the theme, as they in much of his later work, he sees no demoralization nor degradation—only fortitude and sadness. The spirit of man triumphs.—Gift of Mrs. Frederick B. Wells.