Kaukola Ridge at Sunset

This is one of the foremost landscape paintings in Albert Edelfelt's oeuvre. He had been influenced by the traditional way of depicting lake landscapes with islands viewed from a high vantage-point, but what was new in this particular painting was the relatively high horizon, Japonistic canvas dimensioning and intensified expressiveness of objects in the foreground. The twisted tree stump with exposed roots together with a young sapling create a symbolist element, while they are also evidence of the influence of Japanese woodblock prints on the artist. The winding trail of sunlight, wind and water across the surface of the lake could also be interpreted as a result of Edelfelt's admiration for Japanese ornamentation. He worked particularly on capturing that lingering yet brief golden moment before the sun disappears below the horizon. The silhouettes of islands and peninsulas reflected in calm waters are painted with a rare sensuality.