“Landscape with Hills,” rendered in pastel by the artist Edgar Degas in the year 1890, represents the Impressionist movement. This landscape genre artwork is part of the collection housed at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, MA, US. The artwork is characterized by the light brush strokes and vivid outdoor light that are hallmarks of the Impressionist style.
The artwork displays a serene and textured portrayal of a landscape scene that is typical of Degas’s broader oeuvre. Although markedly different from his renowned depictions of dancers and urban life, this piece reflects his mastery in using pastels to convey intricate color variations and the play of light. The composition features rolling hills that recede into a distant horizon under a soft, gently gradated sky suggesting the time of day with a warm palette. The use of pastel allows for subtle blending and layering, creating a scene that feels dynamic despite its calm subject matter. These techniques contribute to a sense of atmospheric depth that invites contemplation. Notably, the work lacks definitive lines and relies on the interplay of color and form to define the landscape, a testament to Degas’ commitment to the Impressionist ethos of capturing the essence of a scene through the sensations of color and light.
