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Artist: Hans Iten RUA (1874-1930) Title: Winter Landscape Signature: signed 'H. Iten' lower left Medium: oil on canvas Size: 51 x 66cm (20.1 x 26in) Framed Size: 70.5 x 85.5cm (27.8 x 33.7in) Provenance: William Rodman & Co. Limited, Belfast (label verso); Private Collection a#morebtn { color: #de1d01; } a#morebtn:hover { cursor: pointer;} Although Hans Iten delighted in painting views on the Lagan near Belfast, capturing images of the flowing waters of the river bordered by trees, this canvas depicts a quiet tributary rather than a large river. Perhaps because of his Swiss background, Iten responded when an occasional snowfall transf... Read more Hans Iten Lot 127 - 'Winter Landscape' Estimate: €1,500 - €2,500 Although Hans Iten delighted in painting views on the Lagan near Belfast, capturing images of the flowing waters of the river bordered by trees, this canvas depicts a quiet tributary rather than a large river. Perhaps because of his Swiss background, Iten responded when an occasional snowfall transformed the Irish landscape, and several of his canvases depict snow scenes. In the distance can be seen white hills, while in the foreground, the stream meanders through a woodland. Iten depicted the snow using an Impressionist technique of combining, but not mixing, pure colours in painterly brushstrokes to create a heightened optical effect. In the shadows, the snow is tinted with shades of purple and blue, heightening the contrast with the dark branches and foliage of the trees. Born in Zurich in 1874, Hans (Jean) Iten studied at the school of applied arts in St. Gallen, under Johannes Stauffacher (1850-1916). He worked initially as an artist and designer in Paris, where he became close friends with Pierre Montezin (1874-1946), designer of the interiors in Maurice Cottier's house on Rue de la Baume, where work by Delacroix, Gericault and Ingres were exhibited. A portrait of Hans Iten by Montezin, is in the Ulster Museum. In 1904, Iten moved to Belfast, to work as a damask designer for the linen company McCrum, Watson & Mercer. He acquired a house and studio at 18 South Parade in Belfast, and in 1906 was elected vice-president of the Belfast Art Society. He showed regularly with the Society, and at the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin, becoming friends with Colin Middleton and other artists. Over the next two decades, Iten painted scores of canvases, depicting scenes on the Lagan River, at Cushendall, or in Belvoir Park, Belfast. Specialising in landscapes and still lifes, he painted in a Realist style, laced with Impressionist brushwork and feeling. In 1930, by now failing in health, Iten returned to Switzerland, where he died later that year. He was one of the first members elected to the Ulster Academy, founded that same year. There are works by Iten in many public collections including Queen's University, Belfast and the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin. Among his works in the Ulster Museum are A Small Holding in Switzerland, Five Trees by a River and The Horseshoe Flower Bed in Ormeau Park, Belfast. Peter Murray, September 2022