Serge Gosselin – Beaute de Fjord, De Serge Gosselin

The canvas presents a winter landscape dominated by a fjord-like body of water nestled between steep, forested slopes. The artist has employed a vibrant palette, prioritizing blues and whites to convey the chill of the season while punctuating the scene with bursts of autumnal reds and yellows in the foliage clinging to the hillsides.
Here we see a small settlement clustered along the shoreline. Several houses are visible, rendered with a simplified architectural style; their roofs are heavily laden with snow, suggesting a recent snowfall. The buildings appear somewhat isolated, emphasizing the remoteness of this location. A weathered outbuilding sits closer to the foreground, its dilapidated state hinting at a history of use and perhaps neglect.
The composition is structured around diagonal lines created by the slopes of the land and the receding water. These diagonals lead the eye towards a distant mountain range visible across the fjord, creating a sense of depth and vastness. Light emanates from behind these mountains, casting a diffused glow over the scene and suggesting a moment just after sunrise or before sunset. The artist has used thick impasto brushstrokes throughout, adding texture and visual interest to the snow-covered ground and the foliage.
Subtly, the painting conveys a sense of quiet resilience. Despite the harshness implied by the winter setting and the rugged terrain, there is an undeniable beauty in the scene. The presence of human habitation suggests adaptation and perseverance within this challenging environment. The vibrant colors, despite their association with cold, evoke a feeling of warmth and vitality, hinting at the enduring spirit of those who call this place home. Theres a certain melancholy present as well; the isolation and the aging structures suggest a community that may be facing challenges or experiencing a gradual decline. Overall, the work seems to explore themes of nature’s power, human endurance, and the poignant beauty found in remote landscapes.