Isar near Grosshessolohe Vasily Kandinsky (1866-1944)

The composition presents a landscape dominated by a river scene. Here we observe a body of water extending into the distance, its surface reflecting the sky and surrounding foliage in muted tones of orange and brown. A bridge spans the river, rendered with broad strokes of yellow and ochre, appearing somewhat distant and abstracted. The perspective is not entirely consistent; the bridge seems to float above the water level rather than being firmly grounded.
The foreground is defined by a sloping bank covered in dense vegetation. The artist employed thick impasto application, particularly noticeable in the depiction of the foliage, which appears as a mass of greens, yellows, and touches of red. This technique creates a textural richness that contrasts with the smoother rendering of the water. A path or embankment cuts across the lower portion of the painting, leading towards the rivers edge.
The color palette is characterized by an emphasis on warm hues – yellows, oranges, and greens – which contribute to a sense of vibrancy and perhaps even heat. The sky above is pale blue with hints of yellow, suggesting diffused sunlight or overcast conditions. There’s a deliberate lack of sharp detail; forms are simplified and edges blurred, contributing to the overall impression of an atmospheric view rather than a precise topographical representation.
Subtly, the painting conveys a feeling of tranquility and isolation. The bridge, while present, does not draw the eye as much as the natural elements – the river, the foliage, and the sky. This suggests a focus on the inherent beauty and stillness of nature, perhaps hinting at a desire to escape from human activity or urban life. The abstracted quality of the forms could be interpreted as an attempt to capture not just what is seen but also the emotional response to the scene – a feeling of peaceful contemplation. The deliberate simplification and expressive brushwork suggest a subjective experience of the landscape rather than an objective record.