Boslandschap met dennebomen bij Bergen 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe made this photograph of a pine forest near Bergen. It's amazing what you can do with light and paper. The light is beautifully soft, creating a tranquil scene. Tepe really gets the balance right with the composition. The trees on the right are taller, drawing the eye to the centre of the work, where the forest is more dense. The road on the left brings us into the image. It's a masterclass in tone, with the highlights on the road contrasting with the shadow in the treeline. But there's enough detail in the shadows to suggest some hidden path further into the trees. It reminds me of some of the landscapes by the French Impressionist Camille Corot. Both artists create a feeling of quiet calm in their works. It makes you want to step into the picture and wander through the forest. And that's what art is all about, isn't it?