Black Forest Landscape 1917

This landscape painting was made by Hans Thoma, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century, with oil on canvas. Thoma lays down the paint in these thin, washy layers. It's almost like he's staining the canvas, letting the light peek through. See how he builds up the forms slowly, with all these delicate touches? It's not about showing off skill, but more about this gentle, meditative process of seeing and feeling. I notice, especially, how the greens and yellows of the meadow feel so soft. He's not trying to capture every blade of grass, but the overall sensation of being in a place, of sunlight on skin, and the sound of a stream nearby. The way Thoma paints reminds me of Corot, with his hazy light and quiet, unassuming compositions. But where Corot is all about atmosphere, Thoma feels a little more grounded, a little more connected to the everyday. Both invite us into this space of quiet contemplation. And like all great paintings, it asks more questions than it answers.