School of the second half of the 19th century, At dusk

School of the second half of the 19th century
Attributed to Félix François Georges Philibert ZIEM (Beaune, France, 1821 - Paris, 1911)
Lying couple and dog, under trees, by the sea, at dusk.
Oil on panel.Signed ‘Z...m’ lower left.
32.7 x 23.7 cm.Some scratches, cracks

This work, attributed to the artist Félix Ziem, depicts a sunset in a natural setting.

The scene depicts a landscape at dusk, with the setting sun shining brightly in the centre of the composition. It shows two figures sitting on the grass, surrounded by an abundance of peaceful nature. A dog is also visible on the left, reinforcing the idea of a scene of relaxation and harmony.

The image is built up in depth, with a few trees framing the scene symmetrically, like a natural theatre reminiscent of the Romantic tradition, where nature is often magnified.
The eye is guided towards the vanishing point: the sun reflected on the water.
Ziem favoured warm, golden tones to capture the light of dusk. Oranges, yellows and reds dominate, while the shadows of the trees add a soothing contrast.
The artist Ziem is famous for his mastery of the rendering of light. Here, he exploits the nuances of the sunset to produce an atmosphere that is both vibrant and calm. Ziem is associated with the Barbizon school and pre-impressionism.His free, vibrant brushstrokes foreshadowed Impressionist research, particularly in the rendering of lighting effects.