Koli 1935

Eero Järnefelt created this landscape, Koli, using watercolor and gouache, a technique where the watercolor is modified to make it opaque. Here, the paint has been applied in thin washes allowing the paper to add to the overall effect. Notice how it has been worked in the areas of the sky to create cloud formations, or how the different colors have been layered to create depth and texture within the vegetation. Järnefelt wasn’t interested in simply reproducing the scene before him. Instead, he used the effects of light and atmosphere to convey a mood. By using layers of color, the artist creates a sense of depth and distance. In this painting, we see how Järnefelt skillfully uses watercolor and gouache to capture the essence of the Finnish landscape, highlighting the importance of materials and techniques in conveying meaning within the artwork.