Lalande (late 18th Century - Early 19th Century), Oil On Canvas, Neoclassical Animated Landscape

Very beautiful oil on canvas signed lower right Lalande and dated 1834, superbly framed in a wood and gilded stucco frame, richly crafted. The painting represents a mountain landscape and an idealized nature as was the fashion at the beginning of the 19th century, in a neoclassical style prefiguring romanticism. The rise of a river caused by rocks animates the foreground of the painting, with on either side paths lined with trees sinking into the valley and winding along the hillside. In the distance, a bridge crosses the river at the foot of steep mountains suggesting a winding valley, the whole giving a lot of depth to the painting. Different characters walking or on horseback, or resting at the side of the path, bring this painting to life and invite you to travel or simply to contemplate. Note a small lack of paint in the center of the canvas at the top of a mountain, as well as a few chips in the stucco of the frame, a sign of time passed (see photos). Canvas dimensions: 46 cm x 56 cm. Frame dimensions: 65 cm x 73 cm.