Signed lower right "J. Purvit", presumably by Latvian artist Vilhelms Purvitis (1872 - 1945), but we do not claim. The tranquil, unfrozen river flowing on the outskirts of the village, situated on a hill in a picturesque location, whimsically reflects the houses and trees along the shore, adding an extra charm to the scene. The autumn leaves, not yet completely fallen, show bright colors peeking out from under a light blanket of snow covering the trees. In the distance, the mountain ranges add depth and dimension to the scene, while the green trees against the changing backdrop highlight the smooth transition of seasons. The winter sky with its cold hues and the fiery sunset casting beautiful pink shades across the all scene set the mood and create a captivating atmosphere. This painting once again reminds us of the beauty of nature that surrounds us... if only we find the time to pause and appreciate it. Antique oil painting on canvas, signed, unframed.
Size app.: 50 x 69.5 cm (roughly 19.7 x 27.4 in). Overall in very good ready to hang condition with just minimal wear. Please study good resolution images for cosmetic condition. In person actual painting may appear darker or brighter than in our pictures, strictly depending on sufficient light in your environment. Weight of app. 2 kg is going to measure 4 kg packed for shipment.
Vilhelms Purvitis, landscape painter and educator who founded the Latvian Academy of Art and was its rector from 1919 to 1934. In 1890 Purvītis started studies at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, Russia from 1890 to 1897, primarily under Arkhip Kuindzhi, graduating with the Grand Gold Medal. While in the academy he studied paintings of old Dutch masters and became close friends with two other Latvian painters- Janis Rozentāls and Johan Valter. In 1898, Purvītis, Rozentāls, and Valter took a study trip across Europe, and his paintings were exhibited in Berlin, Munich, Paris, and Lyon to great acclaim. In 1899 he returned to Riga and started to give private lessons in painting. In 1902 he traveled to Spitzbergen in Norway to study the painting of snow.