Yellow and Green Sunset

A blaze of yellow light spreads across the top of this 1911 painting by Félix Vallotton, a Swiss-French artist who once belonged to the adventurous group of painters known as the Nabis. By the time he made this sunset scene, he had settled into a look all his own. The sky, the water, and the distant purple hills are painted in wide, smooth bands of color, like sheets of paper laid one on top of another. Everything feels pared down to its simplest form, yet the warmth of a fading evening still comes through clearly.

Off to the right, a small dark figure crosses the beach, likely a fisherman heading home with his gear over his shoulder. That little person plays a big role, making the sweep of sky and shimmering water seem even wider by comparison. Vallotton usually built his landscapes from memory rather than sitting outdoors with his easel, which helps explain the tidy, thoughtful balance in scenes like this one. Nothing dramatic is happening. The day is simply winding down, and a soft quiet takes over as the light slips away.