The artwork titled “The road up” is a landscape painting by artist Paul Gauguin, completed in the year 1884. This piece is executed with oil on canvas and is part of the Impressionist movement. The artwork is currently housed within the E.G. Bührle Foundation in Zürich, Switzerland.
In this artwork, Gauguin illustrates a serene countryside scene with a road leading up towards a cluster of buildings under a wide, expansive sky. The path occupies the foreground, leading the viewer’s eye towards the houses. On the left, a solitary tree stands, its foliage a darker contrast against the otherwise light and airy palette. A rich tapestry of brushstrokes in various hues of green and brown depicts the lush vegetation lining the road, giving the scene a vibrant yet tranquil feel. Gauguin’s signature Impressionistic style is evident through the visible bold brushwork and the play of light and shadow, which create a sense of movement and depth in the landscape. The sky is rendered with a vivid array of blue, white, and hints of pink and yellow, suggesting perhaps the early hours of morning or the gentle approach of dusk. Through a blend of warm and cool tones, the artist conveys the atmospheric conditions of the setting, allowing the viewer to sense the climate and time of day conveyed in the painting.
