Poplars Jan Stanislawski

The composition presents a vertical landscape dominated by a group of slender trees rising from the edge of a body of water. The artist has chosen a high vantage point, allowing for a view that emphasizes both the height of the trees and the expanse of the reflective surface below.
Here we see a sky rendered in muted greens and reds, suggesting either dawn or dusk – a transitional moment characterized by atmospheric instability. The color palette is not naturalistic; instead, it conveys an emotional intensity through its unusual combination. This choice moves beyond mere representation towards a subjective interpretation of light and atmosphere.
The trees themselves are depicted with dark, almost black strokes, their forms elongated and somewhat indistinct. They appear to be poplars, given their characteristic slender shape and clustered arrangement. Their reflections in the water mirror their form, though they are broken up by the rippling surface, creating a fragmented effect that contributes to the overall sense of visual vibration.
The water itself is not depicted as calm or still; rather, it’s characterized by agitated brushstrokes, suggesting movement and an underlying energy. The reflections are distorted, further blurring the boundary between the tangible world and its mirrored counterpart. This ambiguity introduces a layer of complexity, hinting at the ephemeral nature of perception.
The artists technique – characterized by loose, expressive strokes and a limited color range – suggests a focus on capturing fleeting impressions rather than precise details. The work conveys a sense of melancholy or quiet contemplation, evoking a mood that is both serene and slightly unsettling. There’s an intentional lack of depth; the scene feels compressed, as if viewed through a narrow aperture.
The signature at the lower left corner anchors the composition while also subtly reminding the viewer of the artists presence and deliberate intervention in shaping this visual experience.