Mysterious Landscape 1930

Tove Jansson's 'Mysterious Landscape' is an oil painting of undetermined date. It speaks to the artist’s distinctive approach, using traditional materials in an unorthodox way. The canvas is dominated by dark hues. Notice the textural variations, achieved through layering and blending of the oils. The paint is applied in a manner that emphasizes form. See how the brushstrokes define the shapes of the trees and rocks. The materiality influences the perception of depth. Jansson expertly balances abstraction and representation, imbuing the scene with a dreamlike quality. Oil painting has a long and storied history. Here, the technique serves Jansson’s unique artistic vision. She was known for her work as an illustrator and author, but this landscape shows her adeptness in painting as well. She blurs boundaries between fine art and other forms of visual expression. Considering both material and methods helps us fully appreciate Jansson’s artistic range.