Sneeuwgezicht met molens en schuren 1856 - 1897

Henri-Charles Guérard created this etching, Sneeuwgezicht met molens en schuren, that is, Snow Scene with Mills and Barns, sometime in the late 19th century. Guérard was a French artist who, along with other members of the Société des Aquafortistes, sought to revitalize the art of etching during a time when it had fallen out of favor. He was deeply involved in the Impressionist movement and in this print, Guérard captures a snow-covered landscape with a series of windmills and barns. The division of the image into two panels, each offering a different perspective of the wintry scene, creates a sense of the disorienting effect of the snow. The limited tonal range evokes the somberness of the winter season. The starkness of the landscape invites a moment of quiet reflection. Guérard’s choice of subject matter and medium reflects a broader artistic interest in capturing the fleeting effects of nature and the everyday lives of rural communities. The artist invites us to contemplate our relationship with the land and the changing seasons.