Landscape near Carlsbourg (Belgium) 1915

Walter Gramatté painted this small oil on canvas, Landscape near Carlsbourg, using thick strokes of color to create an emotionally charged scene. The composition is structured around a central path leading towards a cluster of buildings, framed by dense, almost engulfing, foliage. The brushwork is visibly energetic, with each stroke applied distinctly, building a textured surface that captures the raw, palpable quality of the landscape. The colors, while earthy, are heightened to create an expressive effect. The painting challenges traditional landscape conventions. Gramatté uses the landscape not merely as a subject for representation but as a vehicle for expressing inner emotional states. The semiotic interplay between form and color transforms the painting from a mere depiction of place into an exploration of perception, memory, and feeling. Each brushstroke contributes to a larger, more subjective understanding of the world.