Boat Along a Bank

Vijlbrief's farmyard scene is exquisite evidence that the Neo-Impressionist influence also extended to Holland, where its most productive period was the early 1890s. In this landscape Vijlbrief expands the standard Neo-Impressionist palette, adding unusual shades of mauve, gray, magenta, and ochre. The setting has an unreal quality, suggesting that naturalism has been replaced by the exploration of color effects and decorative patterns. The lacy foliage and sinuous branches create elegant arabesques that hint at the curvilinear shapes of Art Nouveau and suit the exoticism of Vijlbrief's color scheme. [source]