Forest Path

19th-century Belgian school oil painting on wooden panel, signed Isidore Meyers (1836-1917), in the lower right corner. The work has a little texture to the touch.

This large and impressive forest landscape is masterfully painted with densely applied comma brushstrokes, demonstrating Meyers' skill in creating a vivid illusion of texture. Initially, the artwork seems dominated by darker hues, but Meyers meticulously diversifies his palette, infusing the composition with a rich array of colors. This technique subtly shifts the central area from a monochromatic mass to a vibrant display of clarity and depth.

Meyers captures the essence of late afternoon light with delicate precision, using tonal variations and the characteristic gray sky that has become a hallmark of his acclaim. The painting's substantial frame, ornately detailed with dark gilded foliage moldings, enhances the naturalistic palette of the landscape, creating a cohesive aesthetic.

About the artist: 

Joseph Jean Isidore Meyers was a Belgian artist born in Antwerp in 1836. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp under the guidance of Jacob Jacobs (1812-1879), a master of Belgian romanticism.

Subsequently, Meyers went to Paris and attended the Academy of Fine Arts from 1855 to 1858, alongside his compatriot, the Belgian painter Adrien-Joseph Heymans (1839-1921). During their time in Paris, these two artists befriended the artists of the Barbizon school, breaking away from the conservative norms of Antwerp landscape painting. Meyers and Heymans emerged as pioneers of this artistic revolution in Belgium, a period that significantly influenced Meyers' future work.

Meyers later moved to Campine, near Holland, where he and Heymans founded the Dendermonde Academy. His mentorship at the academy helped nurture the talents of artists like Franz Courtens, Adrien Le Mayeur, Romain Steppe, and Franz Callebaut, highlighting his significant role in the advancement of Belgian art.

Throughout his career, Meyers traveled extensively for painting and exhibitions, evolving from a preference for darker landscapes to adopting a lighter, more nuanced color palette. This transition reflects his openness to innovation and his resonance with contemporary artistic movements.

Isidore Meyers' legacy is preserved in numerous works held by the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Belgium, testament to his enduring influence on the Belgian art scene.

• Overall Size: 20.8" x 24.8" / 53.5cm x 63.5cm.
  
• Size without the frame: 13.7" x 17.7" / 35cm x 45cm.
  
• Country: Belgium.  
  
• Signed: Isidore Meyers (1836-1917).
• Date: Mid 19th-century.
• Condition: The artwork is in excellent condition overall, notwithstanding minor linear gaps resulting from the framing. The wooden and plaster original antique frame shows signs of restoration marks. Linear gaps are evident in the moldings on the exterior areas of the frame.
• Materials: Oil on wood panel with a wood and plaster frame.
• Shipping: This painting includes free shipping. An additional fee is applied for Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.