Rik Matthyssens - Trees on a hill

An atmospheric, impressionistic landscape painting, most likely a heathland or a forest edge in a dune or sand drift area, which fits in with the oeuvre of Rik Matthyssens, who was known as an impressionist-realist.

Style and Technique:
The painting is characterized by a loose and vibrant brushwork, typical of Impressionism. The paint is applied thickly and impasto-like (impasto), adding depth and life to the texture of the background and the leaves. The signature in the lower left corner, 'R. Matthyssens', is clear.

Composition and Color:
The composition consists of a foreground of rough, rolling earth with grasses and heather, rising sharply to a row of trees on the horizon. The trees, with their jagged, dark trunks and light, waving canopies, form the focal point of the work. The palette is dominated by muted green, olive, and earth tones, with fresh accents of light blue in the sky and occasional yellow-green highlights in the foliage, suggesting sunlight filtering through the trees. The overall atmosphere is tranquil, natural, and somewhat mysterious.

Presentation:
The painting is set in a light-colored wooden frame that complements the work's natural, rustic character. It is an oil on canvas or panel.