Der Wolfgangsee 1835

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller created this painting of Der Wolfgangsee using oil on canvas. The traditional materials of oil paint lend themselves well to capturing the atmospheric perspective, with the mountains receding into the distance. Consider the act of painting itself as a process. Waldmüller would have carefully prepared his canvas, mixed his paints, and then painstakingly applied layer upon layer to build up this landscape. The fine brushstrokes are almost invisible, yet they contribute to the overall realism and the sense of light and air. Look at the houses in the foreground, they are rendered with a sense of texture. Waldmüller's skill in manipulating the oil paint allowed him to create a convincing illusion of depth and form. Ultimately, understanding the labor and skill involved in the making of a painting like this, invites us to appreciate the artistry and the complex relationship between the artist, materials, and the depicted world.