Louis Clesse (1889-1961) - Avondlandschap

Louis Liévin Théophile Clesse (Elsene, 15 June 1889 – there, 9 February 1961) was a Belgian figurative, post-impressionist painter, watercolourist and etcher. He was known for his landscapes and harbor scenes.

Clesse's style is a successful combination of realism and impressionism, strongly influenced by Emile Claus, Franz Courtens and Isidore Verheyden. It is an art that testifies to a great love for the land, with attention to light, color, mood, all translated in oil with remarkable craftsmanship and a sense for form. Source: wikipedia

The work shows an impressionist landscape with a dramatic sky and a row of trees on the right side. It is clear that light is central: the bright, yellow-illuminated horizon seems more important than an accurate depiction of the landscape. Depending on the position it becomes clear that there are many color variations used to convey mood and light. The beautiful painting seems to aim mainly to capture the mood of a moment in nature. This partly through the use of impasto: this to emphasize light and atmosphere. (luminism/post-impressionism)

Finally: Louis uses the tree as a powerful compositional element. This betrays a somewhat later, more personal conception of landscape.