Beginning of winter Ivan Welz (1866-1926)

The canvas presents a landscape dominated by the transition into winter. Here we observe a river winding through a sparsely wooded area, its surface reflecting the overcast sky above. A layer of fresh snow blankets the banks and accumulates around the base of the trees, suggesting an early stage of the season – not yet fully entrenched in deep freeze, but undeniably moving towards it.
The composition is structured with a clear foreground, middle ground, and background. The immediate foreground features the rivers edge, highlighted by the snow’s texture and the presence of a small boat moored to a post. This boat serves as a focal point, hinting at recent human activity or perhaps an anticipation of future journeys curtailed by the approaching winter.
The middle ground extends into the river itself, leading the eye towards a distant horizon line where the land gradually rises. The trees lining the banks are bare, their branches reaching skyward in stark silhouettes against the muted light. Their lack of foliage emphasizes the dormancy and stillness characteristic of winter.
In the background, a range of hills or low mountains is visible, rendered in soft, hazy tones that contribute to the overall sense of distance and atmospheric perspective. The color palette is restrained – primarily consisting of grays, browns, and muted greens – reinforcing the somber mood and the subdued light conditions typical of late autumn/early winter.
Subtly, the painting evokes a feeling of quiet contemplation and melancholy. It’s not a depiction of harsh winter conditions but rather a moment of transition, a pause before the full force of winter arrives. The absence of human figures amplifies this sense of solitude and introspection. One might interpret the scene as a meditation on the cyclical nature of time, the inevitability of change, and the beauty found even in moments of dormancy and apparent loss. The boat, seemingly abandoned, could symbolize a temporary cessation of activity or a longing for journeys yet to come.