Rocio 1896

Alfredo Andersen captured this landscape with oil on canvas, using strokes that celebrate both the texture of the paint and the scene itself. Oil paint allows for layering and blending, which Andersen uses here to create a dreamy, atmospheric quality. Look closely, and you’ll see how the brushstrokes define the forms of the trees and the ripples on the water. The earthy palette – ochres, umbers, and muted greens – evokes the natural environment, grounding the viewer in the scene. Andersen was known for his commitment to plein air painting, working directly in front of his subjects. This approach, combined with his painterly technique, gives "Rocio" a sense of immediacy and authenticity. The visible brushwork becomes a record of the artist's process. In a time when academic painting still held sway, Andersen's embrace of direct observation and tactile paint application was a step towards a more modern sensibility. It reminds us that even in a seemingly straightforward landscape, the artist's hand and the qualities of the materials play a crucial role in shaping our experience.